Tenant Awarded $2,500 to Replace Furniture Damaged by Landlord's Contractor

Tenant sued landlord, claiming that she was injured and that her personal property was damaged when landlord's contractor negligently made repairs in her apartment, causing construction dust and debris to permeate inside the unit. Tenant suffered from asthma and testified that she couldn't live with dust. The contractor had opened up a wall in the bathroom and removed Sheetrock while putting a fan in the window that blew the dust inside her apartment. Tenant claimed that everything was covered in dust and she had to throw out her furniture and buy a new bed, sofa, and dining room set. The trial court ruled for tenant and awarded her $2,500.

Canino v. Rebirth Realty HDFC: Index No. 001693-23, NYLJ No. 1727989011 (Civ. Ct. Bronx; 9/26/24; Lugo-Martinze, J)