First-Floor Apartment Combined with Cellar

Landlord asked the DHCR if it could charge a ''first rent'' when a first-floor apartment was combined with cellar space to create a duplex. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said yes. If an apartment is substantially altered by changing its perimeter so that the new apartment wasn't in existence on the rent stabilization base date, then landlord can collect a first free-market rent, subject thereafter to rent guidelines increases.

DHCR Opin. Ltr. by Charles Goldstein (6/9/97) [1-page document]