Tenants' Rents Reduced to $1 per Month After Chimney Collapses

Five tenants complained of a reduction in services. After a chimney and part of the building collapsed, the city issued a vacate order, and tenants were forced to move out temporarily. The DRA reduced tenants' rents to $1.00 per month while their apartments were uninhabitable. Landlord appealed, claiming that it didn't intend to restore the building but instead would build a new structure. Landlord hadn't applied for permission to demolish the building. In the meantime, tenants remained rent stabilized and were entitled to rent-reduction orders.

Speakeasy 86, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. Nos. UG410028RO, UG410049RO-UG410052RO (5/25/07) [2-pg. doc.]