Landlord Wants to Charge Rent Increase for Master Meter Gas Service

December 1, 1998

LVT Number: 12830

Landlord substantially renovated a building in 1997 and converted from individual gas meters to one master meter for the entire building. Landlord asked the DHCR whether it could charge rent-stabilized tenants a rent increase for the gas meter conversion. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said probably not. Unless landlord could get written consent from 75 percent of tenants in occupancy, it couldn't increase rents for the increased service. If landlord did get tenants' consent, the rent increase would be based on the average of tenants' actual gas bills.

Landlord substantially renovated a building in 1997 and converted from individual gas meters to one master meter for the entire building. Landlord asked the DHCR whether it could charge rent-stabilized tenants a rent increase for the gas meter conversion. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said probably not. Unless landlord could get written consent from 75 percent of tenants in occupancy, it couldn't increase rents for the increased service. If landlord did get tenants' consent, the rent increase would be based on the average of tenants' actual gas bills. Landlord could change back to individual metering at its sole expense.

DHCR Opin. Ltr. by Charles Goldstein (3/6/98) [2-page document]

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