Landlord Can Convert to Electrical Exclusion

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to convert rent-stabilized apartments from rent inclusion to rent exclusion of electric current by installing individual apartment meters. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed and lost. They claimed that the rent reduction of $39.59 for a four-room apartment in lieu of electricity didn't fairly compensate them for the increased utility costs. The DHCR ruled against tenants. DHCR Operational Bulletin 2003-1 sets the amount of rent reductions based on the median monthly cost of electricity to tenants based on U.S. Census Bureau data for New York City.

430 East 86th Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VL430004RT (12/9/10) [3-pg. doc.]