Landlord's Cosmetic Repairs Didn't Fix Roof Leak

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services based on a living room ceiling leak. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent. Landlord later applied for rent restoration based on the restoration of services. Landlord claimed that it had repaired the ceiling. The DRA ruled against landlord, finding that it hadn't resolved the underlying condition. Landlord appealed and lost. The DHCR's inspector found that the repairs to the living room weren't completed in a workmanlike manner. At the time of the inspection, the living room ceiling was wet and there was peeling paint. Landlord clearly had done only cosmetic repairs to the apartment and failed to correct the cause of the leak and moisture problem that still affected the living room ceiling in tenant's apartment.

Cadillac Leasing, LP: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. XC110003RO (8/14/09) [3-pg. doc.]