Landlord Gets MCI Rent Hike for New Common Area Doors

Landlord applied to the DHCR for MCI rent hikes based on new common area doors to the roof and boiler room and a new boiler/burner. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenant appealed and lost. Tenant questioned the cost of the new doors,whether they were even installed, whether the useful life of prior doors had expired, and whether landlord's contractor was properly licensed. The DHCR found that landlord properly documented the work done. The useful life of prior doors didn't matter since no prior MCI increase was ever granted for the common area doors in the building. Whether landlord's contractor was properly licensed was beyond the scope of the DHCR's authority. Tenant's further claims of harassment, rent overcharge, and decreased services were beyond the scope of review in an MCI proceeding and weren't raised before the DRA.

Reade: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. FO210010RT (10/22/20) [2-pg. doc.]