$44,000 Overcharge Found Where Landlord Failed to Answer Complaint

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $44,250, including triple damages. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that there should be no triple damages because its new management company took over in January 2014. But the DRA sent landlord tenant's complaint as well as three triple damage notices at the address listed in its PAR. But landlord never answered the notice of tenant's complaint or any of the triple damage notices. And landlord had owned the building since at least 2007. Landlord presented no excuse for not responding to the DRA. 

Cherry Lane Owner's Corp.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. FO110006RO (9/21/17) [3-pg. doc.]