Landlord Can Change Copper Wire Intercom to Telephone-Based System

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify building-wide services. The DRA ruled for landlord and granted its application to replace an existing copper wire intercom system with a telephone-based intercom system. Tenants appealed and lost. They claimed they hadn't been given information to understand the new system. But the DRA granted the application on a trial basis pursuant to the terms of a modification agreement between landlord and tenants, which tenants signed. The trial period for the new system would be one year, so that tenants, landlord, and the DHCR could evaluate it. If, at the end of that year, enough tenants objected to the new system, the DHCR would reconsider landlord's application. The DRA's order stated that tenants must continue to have a choice in area phone service providers. Tenants' agreement with landlord provided that the telephone-based intercom system can work with both landlines or cell phones so tenants who already have mobile phones or landlines will continue to use these lines and don't have to incur any costs for the new system. 

Various Tenants of 62-60 108th Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. GX110030RT (12/23/20) [2-pg. doc.]