Landlord Can't Install Separate Water Meter for Rent-Controlled Apartment

January 1, 1997

LVT Number: 11182

Landlord asked the DHCR if it could install separate water meters for each apartment in a building containing a storefront and two apartments. One of the apartments was rent-controlled. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said no. The furnishing of water to the rent-controlled apartment without charge since the base date was an essential service that couldn't be removed. Besides, increased water rates could be considered when calculating the amount of the MBR increases, which landlord could get on proper application.

Landlord asked the DHCR if it could install separate water meters for each apartment in a building containing a storefront and two apartments. One of the apartments was rent-controlled. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said no. The furnishing of water to the rent-controlled apartment without charge since the base date was an essential service that couldn't be removed. Besides, increased water rates could be considered when calculating the amount of the MBR increases, which landlord could get on proper application. As an alternative, the DHCR suggested the installation of low-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads.

DHCR Opin. Ltr. by Charles Goldstein (3/27/96) [2-page document]

Downloads

11182.pdf96.1 KB

Topics

More like this