MCI Increase for Courtyard and Walkways Granted

The DHCR granted landlord's application for MCI rent hikes based on installation of courtyards, walkways, concrete work, and side entry gates. Tenants appealed and lost. Tenants argued that they didn't have access to the courtyards and that the "walkway" wasn't a walkway but a driveway used exclusively by landlord. Tenants also claimed that their engineer was denied access to fully inspect the claimed MCI work. The DHCR found that tenants had access to the courtyards and walkways. Their claim that landlord used the walkway as a driveway wasn't sufficient to deny the MCI rent increase. And tenants weren't denied due process. Their engineer submitted a report, and the DHCR also considered the report landlord submitted from an independent architect. 

Langham Tenants Association: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. FR430047RT (9/2/21)[3-pg. document]