Tenant Sought Removal of Water Meter Encasement

Tenant complained of a reduction in services. Landlord had built an enclosure around a water meter, which tenant complained reduced space. The DRA ruled for tenant and directed landlord to remove the enclosure. The DRA also reduced tenant's rent. Landlord later removed the enclosure and applied for rent restoration. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenant then appealed, claiming that removal of the enclosure box around the water meter made the space look worse than it did before. Landlord argued that tenant had wanted the enclosure box built around the water meter in the first place. The DHCR ruled against tenant. Removal of the encasement was needed to restore the space taken away by its construction. Tenant couldn't now complain about that.

Peters: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VJ610023RT (1/3/08) [2-pg. doc.]