Landlord Can Replace Gas Stoves with Electric Stoves with Rent Reduction Under DHCR Policy

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify required services by replacing stoves that used cooking gas service with electric cooking stoves. The DRA ruled for landlord and ordered a permanent rent reduction for tenants based on the DHCR's Cooking Gas Utility Allowance. Tenant appealed and lost. The DRA applied DHCR policy in setting the applicable rent reduction. Tenant's objection to landlord's utility supplier for purposes of submetering electric charges to tenants for the electric stoves was beyond the scope of the DHCR's authority and, if pursued, must be addressed by the agency or municipality that governs utility supplier applications. If tenant claimed rent overcharge in connection with the electric charges, she must file a separate rent overcharge complaint with the DHCR.

Ray: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. KT210027RT (5/17/24)[3-pg. document]