Limited Access to Storage Space

(Decision submitted by David Hershey-Webb of the Manhattan law firm of Himmelstein, McConnell, Gribben, Donoghue & Joseph, attorneys for the tenants.) Tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services. Previously they had 24-hour access to a storage area. Landlord changed the locks on the storage area doors, so tenants now had to find a building employee to gain access. The DRA ruled for tenants. Landlord appealed, claiming that the storage space was still being provided, that its change in access procedure was an increase in services, and that this was a minor change in services that didn't warrant a rent reduction. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Landlord now restricted tenants' access to the storage area. This was a reduction in required services. Landlord didn't show that this restriction improved building services. And this wasn't a minor change in service.

150 Greenway Terrace LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. TB130033RO (7/7/05) [3-pg. doc.]