MBR Increases Granted

Landlord applied for 2000--2001 MBR increases for rent-controlled tenants. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants objected to the MBR increases. They claimed that landlord wasn't maintaining essential services. A rent reduction order was pending based on removal of a security gate, and landlord had eliminated doorman service to one building entrance. The DHCR had denied an MCI increase based on the rent reduction order. The DHCR ruled against tenants. For purposes of MBR increases, essential services were defined to include heat, hot and cold water, superintendent services, maintenance of front or entrance door security, garbage collection, elevator service, and utility services. Essential services also included services that if not provided would present a danger to the life, safety, or health of tenants. The security gate was located in an east wing stairway and didn't affect the building's front or entrance door security. Tenants also didn't show any danger to life, health, or safety by landlord's elimination of a side entrance doorman. So landlord could collect the MBR increases.

Various Rent-Controlled Tenants of 230 Riverside Drive: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. QC420013RT (1/30/07) [7-pg. doc.]