Landlord Removed Two Skylights from Tenant's Apartment

Rent-stabilized loft tenant complained of a reduction in services after landlord removed two skylights. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that there was still sufficient light in tenant's apartment and that the skylights were removed to prevent roof leaks. Tenant argued that she was an artist who needed the light to work, and had lived there with the skylights from 1966 until they were removed in 2006. The DHCR ruled for tenant. The skylights were still in place when the Loft Board set the initial legal regulated rent for the unit in 2004. And in a separate DHCR proceeding appealed by landlord, the state Supreme Court had ruled that the skylights were a required service that landlord had removed without the DHCR's permission.

810 Broadway: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. XH410039RO (10/27/10) [6-pg. doc.]