Landlord Showed Laundry Room Was in Basement When He Bought Building

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for performing work without a permit. DOB's inspector found an unauthorized storage room and laundry room in the building's basement with water and waste lines installed for two washing machines and a slop sink. A gas line also had been installed for a gas dryer. Landlord argued that these items were in the basement when he bought the building. The ALJ ruled for landlord and dismissed the violation. DOB appealed and lost. Landlord demonstrated that the cited conditions were pre-existing when he bought the building. Although landlord affixed V-split hoses to attach to the washers, he showed that the partitions, slop sink, gas line, and one set of water and waste lines pre-dated his purchase of the building. 

DOB v. Zhu: ECB App. No. 2000457 (7/16/20) [2-pg. doc.]