Engineering Fees Included in MCI Rent Hike for Elevator Upgrade

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on elevator upgrading. The DRA ruled for landlord but disallowed costs for engineering services, staircase patching and painting, elevator protection pads, and replacement of a sump pump. Landlord appealed and won, in part. Engineering fees would be covered in this case since the MCI work was more complex than normal. In addition to the remodeling of the cab interior and the installation of new controllers and selectors, the work involved the replacement of the traction hoist machine and the hoist motor, replacement of hoist cables and governor ropes, complete rewiring of the elevator system, and the installation of new electronic components. Also, landlord showed that replacement of the sump pump at the base of the elevator shaft was needed to prevent water damage to the newly installed mechanical components of the elevator. Otherwise, painting and patching costs and pads were properly excluded.

Samson Management LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. ZG430032RO (6/2/17) [2-pg. doc.]