Landlord Can't Charge Tenant for Use of Private Telephone

Tenant complained of a rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant. Landlord appealed, claiming that it should be allowed to collect a rent increase for the use of a private telephone in the apartment. The building previously was hotel-stabilized and had been reclassified as rent stabilized. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Landlord can't charge tenant for the use of a private telephone. Such charges aren't authorized by the Rent Stabilization Law or Code. Also, landlord didn't show that it was providing any additional telephone services.

Ansonia Assocs. LP: DHCR Admin. Rev. Dckt. No. LD440081RO (8/31/01) [2-pg. doc.]