Landlord Can Replace Oil Heat System with Electrical Heating System

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to substitute a rent-stabilized building's steam radiator/pipe heating system with electric split HVAC units in each apartment that would be wired to the building's electrical panel with no cost to tenants. The DRA ruled for landlord.

Tenants appealed and lost. Tenants argued that electric heat caused well-known adverse effects to health and indoor air and that the DRA had ignored these claims by tenants. One tenant also claimed that the building's electric service wasn't reliable. Landlord argued that tenants presented no credible proof that an electrical heating system caused adverse health and indoor environmental effects. The DHCR found that the proposed modification would provide an adequate substitute service, and that the DRA had considered all of tenants' arguments. 

Peirce/Uttal: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. KT410005RT (1/13/23)[3-pg. document]