Decorative Parapet Wall Was Related to Roof Installation

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of a new roof, facade work, and an architect's services. The DRA ruled for landlord in part but denied any increase for reconstruction of a parapet wall with decorative profiled bricks, loft vents replacement, bulkhead skylight refurbishment, face brick replacement allowance at bulkhead interiors, painting window lintels, and roof and facade work done before the fully executed contract for the work was dated.

Landlord appealed and won, in part. The DHCR found that the painting of window lintels, the loft vents replacement, bulkhead skylight refurbishment, and the face brick replacement allowance at bulkhead interiors constituted maintenance and repair work not necessary or directly related to the completion of either the facade restoration or the roof installation. But reconstruction of the parapet wall with decorative profiled bricks qualified for an MCI increase as necessary work directly related to the MCI roof installation. This work was part of the reconstruction of the north parapet wall and essentially similar to the reconstruction work done on the east, west, and south parapet walls of the building. The fact that landlord used different material on the north parapet wall didn't change the fact that this work was part of the reconstruction of the building's parapet wall and related to the roof MCI. 

Unger: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. CR630006RO (10/7/20) [3-pg. doc.]