Contract Didn't Break Down Cost of Each Item

Tenant complained of a rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant, and landlord appealed. Landlord claimed that it had spent at least $30,000 on improvements to the apartment before tenant moved in. So, landlord argued that it was entitled to a rent increase. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Landlord submitted copies of a contract and cancelled checks made out at the time renovations were supposedly made. But tenant claimed that most of the items proposed by the contract had never been installed. Since the contract didn't provide a breakdown of costs for each individual item, there was no proof of the cost of the improvements that tenant admitted were made. Also, an HPD inspection of the apartment after the improvements were supposedly made showed the apartment to be in poor condition.

Rahbar: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. ID510067RO (1/26/95) [5-page document]