No Water Service to Tenant's Terrace

Tenant complained of a reduction in services. He claimed that water service to his terrace had been shut off. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent. Landlord appealed, claiming that it wasn't required to maintain a water line to the terrace. And landlord had repaired the water line, but it froze and broke again during a cold winter. So, landlord claimed, it would be pointless to attempt repairs again. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Landlord didn't raise the argument that it wasn't required to maintain the water line before the DRA. And since landlord admitted it had made repairs, this didn't seem believable. Tenant said that water service had been supplied for 30 years. Landlord's claim that repair efforts would be pointless was no excuse. Landlord was required to maintain services to tenant's apartment.

Congregation B'Nai Abraham Mordechai: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. RK410070RO (7/23/04) [2-pg. doc.]