Landlord Bound by First Renewal Lease Offered

Tenant complained that landlord didn't properly renew his rent-stabilized lease. The DRA ruled against tenant and ordered him to sign a renewal lease offered on March 8, 1996, with a start date of Aug. 1, 1996, and to begin paying the new rent as of Dec. 1, 1996. Tenant appealed, claiming that landlord had already offered him a renewal lease in November 1995, to start on April 1, 1996, that tenant had accepted a two-year renewal, and that landlord had refused to send him a signed copy of the lease. Landlord then tried to force tenant to sign the renewal lease, starting Aug. 1, 1996, at a higher rent. The DHCR ruled for tenant. Landlord was required to return a fully signed copy of the first renewal lease to tenant within 30 days of signing. The first renewal lease is binding; the second one is void.

Britt: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. KI410017RT (3/28/01) [3-pg. doc.]