Landlord Can Submeter Building

Landlord requested permission to end rent inclusion of electricity and to submeter the building. The DRA ruled for landlord and ordered rent reductions for each affected apartment for this reduction in services. Tenants appealed, claiming that there was now inadequate heat in the building. Previously, they would use electric heaters for additional heat, but now they would have to pay for this. The DHCR ruled against tenants. Whether landlord provided adequate heat to the building was a separate issue, unrelated to its right to submeter the building after DHCR approval. There was no record of heat violations or service reduction complaints by tenants. Tenants could file complaints if landlord didn't provide sufficient heat.

Ligon: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. Nos. SD210094RT et al. (7/28/04) [3-pg. doc.]