No Proof Illegal Rooms Existed When Landlord Bought Building

DOB issued violation notices to landlord for starting work without a permit, creating five illegal rooms in the building cellar, and installing a gas stove. Landlord claimed that these conditions existed in the building before he bought it. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $1,300. Landlord appealed and lost. The building super testified that the cellar conditions existed before landlord bought the building. But landlord submitted no documentary proof to support this claim. In addition, this wasn't a defense to the violation of Administrative Code Section 27-217 based on change in occupancy.

Owner of 20 Crooke Avenue: ECB App. Nos 40523-40524 (3/29/07) [2-pg. doc.]