Signature on Certificate of Correction Wasn't Notarized

The Fire Department issued a notice to landlord for a number of violations. The notice told landlord to correct the violations and file a certificate of correction by a certain date to avoid fines. Landlord protested when she was later fined. She claimed she mailed in the certificate but didn't know that it had to be notarized. Landlord didn't speak or read English well. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined her $350. Landlord appealed and lost. If landlord couldn't understand the instructions, which were on the violation notice and the certificate, she had an obligation to find someone who could interpret them for her.

City of New York v. Hasiak: ECB App. No. 20548 (12/14/94) [2-page document]