DHCR Imposes Rent Reduction for Landline Costs in Connection with Key Fob Installation

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify services by replacing a traditional key system with an electronic key fob system. The DRA ruled for landlord but placed a number of conditions on its approval. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord objected to providing additional key fobs to tenant's employees and guests. Landlord also objected to the $15 per month rent reduction applied to tenants to cover telephone landline costs. The DHCR's standard policy is to have tenants receive up to four additional key fobs/keycards at no charge for the use of tenant's employees or guests expected to visit on a regular basis or as needed to care for tenant or the apartment. These keys can be made to expire electronically, subject to tenant renewal. Landlord was otherwise free to set reasonable guidelines to limit key fob access to third parties. It is also standard DHCR policy to give tenants a permanent rent reduction to offset the basic cost for maintaining the telephone landline used with the key fob system.

Akelius Real Estate Management, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. EV210029RO (7/13/17) [3-pg. doc.]