Landlord Can Change Phone/ Intercom System

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify building services. Landlord wished to replace the phone/intercom system with an ''Enterphone'' system. Landlord claimed that the old house phone/intercom system was unreliable and hard to repair. With the new system, tenants used their own telephones to dial a toll-free number to call the doorman. The system also had a call-waiting feature to notify tenants when there was a call from the doorman or to notify tenants of incoming telephone calls when they were speaking to the doorman. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed, claiming that the old system allowed them to call other tenants and shops located in the building for free. The DHCR ruled against tenants. The Enterphone system was an adequate substitute for the old intercom system. No rent reduction was warranted.

405 & 465 W. 23rd St./410 & 470 W. 24th St.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. PJ430053RT (2/2/04) [3-pg. doc.]