Matted-Down Leaves

DOS issued a violation notice to landlord for having a dirty area in front of his building. An inspection showed debris and matted-down leaves. Landlord claimed that he had to go out of town frequently because of a death in the family and that he had been trying for a year to hire someone to clean outside the building, without success. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $50. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord is responsible for keeping the area outside the building clean. His claim that he hadn't been able to hire someone wasn't believable. And the fact that the leaves were matted indicated that he had let the condition go on for some time.

Bond: ECB App. No. 35168 (7/31/01) [2-pg. doc.]