Landlord Penalized $5,000 for Harassing Tenant
LVT Number: #31504
Tenant sued landlord, claiming harassment. Tenant had previously filed an HP action, seeking an order to correct a mold condition in her apartment. In the new case, tenant claimed that landlord shut off electricity and water to her apartment repeatedly for about six months after she started the HP proceeding for mold. Tenant stated that the repeated shut-offs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic forced her and her daughter to move out since they couldn't prepare meals at home or use the bathroom. The court ruled for tenant, finding that landlord's ongoing course of conduct caused an interruption of essential services. The court ordered landlord to pay a $4,000 penalty to HPD and $1,000 compensatory damages to tenant.
Contreras v. Lin: Index No. 302550/20, 71 Misc.3d 1232(A), 2021 NY Slip Op 50554(U), NYLJ No. 1624876664 (Civ. Ct. Queens; 6/15/21; Sanchez, J)