Many Public Areas in Building Were Defective

Rent-stabilized tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services based on defective windows in various public areas of the building. Tenants stated that windows in the hallways, staircase landings, and recycling room were in need of repairs or adjustments. Some windows were hard to open or close, were crooked in their frames, didn't close completely, didn't stay up, or slid down too fast. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that any conditions affecting these windows were de minimis--that is, minor--especially since they didn't affect tenants' living spaces. But the conditions weren't minor and more than 80 public area windows were in some state of inoperability. 

219 West Residential Holdings, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. AV430006RO (5/3/13) [4-pg. doc.]