Upon placement of the property into REAP, the Department may make a determination of the estimated cost to repair the habitability violation. At any time prior to the accumulation of funds in the escrow account, which equals the estimated repair cost, the landlord may submit evidence that the repair has been made and request reimbursement from the escrow account. These funds shall be released to the landlord, minus fees associated with the administration of the escrow account. However, if the landlord does not effect the repairs prior to the accumulation of the repair amount, the tenant may make the repairs with the funds held in the escrow account. Once the repairs have been made and all administrative costs have been collected, the rent escrow account will be closed.
Additional payments may be made from the escrow account following the procedures set forth in Section 162.07 B.
E. Exceptions. (Added by Ord. No. 173,810, Eff. 4/16/01.)
1. No rent reduction or action to include the property into REAP will be imposed or initiated for a temporary reduction or elimination of the services, listed under the Habitability Violation definition above, if the landlord can demonstrate that the reduction or elimination was necessary for the repair, replacement or upgrade of the elevator, security gate or air conditioning unit and the repair, upgrade or replacement was completed within a reasonable period of time taking into account all relevant factors.