Tenant Tried to Record DHCR Inspection

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services in his apartment. The DRA ruled against tenant based on tenant's failure to provide access for DHCR inspection. Tenant appealed and lost. Tenant claimed that the DRA denied his request to record the inspection. The DHCR's records showed that at a second scheduled "no-access" inspection, the DHCR and landlord's managing agent appeared at the apartment. Tenant interfered with the inspector's ability to complete the inspection by attempting to record the inspection. The DHCR's inspector explained the agency policy prohibiting voice and video recording of its inspections and told tenant that if tenant insisted on recording, he would leave without completing the inspection. Tenant refused to stop recording, and the inspector and managing agent left. The DRA properly dismissed tenant's complaint.

Weiss: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. ZK210026RT (5/22/13) [3-pg. doc.]