Licensed Contractor Not Required

(Decision submitted by Amy Miller of the Hewlett, N.Y., law firm of Pennisi Daniels & Norelli, LLP, attorneys for the landlord.) Tenant complained of a rent overcharge. The DRA ruled against tenant. The DRA found that there had been apartment improvements costing $7,200 and allowed a 1/40th increase collected by landlord. Tenant appealed, claiming that landlord used an unlicensed contractor to do the work. The DHCR ruled against tenant. There is no requirement that landlord's contractor be licensed. Landlord submitted sufficient proof that the claimed work was done. So landlord was entitled to the claimed 1/40th rent increase.

Brown: DHCR Admin. Rev. Dckt. No. PK210080RT (3/12/02) [2-pg. doc.]