Landlord Wants to Start Electronic Transfer of Funds

Landlord asked the DHCR if it could collect rents from rent-stabilized tenants by electronic transfer of funds. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said yes, with certain conditions. If landlord collected rent this way, it would have to provide tenants with a rent receipt of some sort. Tenants' participation in this system would also have to be voluntary, and tenants must be allowed to discontinue doing so at any time. Since this voluntary method of rent payment to landlord represents an accommodation for tenant convenience, it would not be considered a required service, and landlord could discontinue it at any time.

DHCR Opin. Ltr. by Charles Goldstein (11/19/02) [2-pg. doc.]