Cost of New Flooring Not Included

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on a number of building-wide improvements. The DRA ruled for landlord in part, but disallowed any rent hike for new flooring. Landlord appealed, claiming that the flooring was installed in connection with the boiler installation, which the DHCR approved. The flooring needed replacement because of damage caused by steam leaking from the old boiler's steam pipes. The DHCR ruled against landlord. The contract for the work didn't show why installing steam lines required replacement of flooring in three apartments. And since the floor damage was admittedly caused by leaks from the old boiler, this was repair work. It also wasn't building-wide, but affected only a few apartments. And the claimed cost of $24,480 was very high.

Dover 316 LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. Nos. SB110060RT & SB110017RO (5/6/04) [3-pg. doc.]