MCI Rent Hike Granted for Gas Repiping

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on gas repiping. The DHCR ruled against landlord because new gas meter banks and risers were connected to the existing gas piping, and the installation wasn't new or building-wide. Landlord filed a court appeal, claiming that the DHCR's decision was arbitrary and unreasonable. The court sent the case back to the DHCR and ordered an inspection to determine whether the work was building-wide and whether an increase was warranted. After reconsideration, the DHCR ruled for landlord. Inspection and photographs showed that the installation was building-wide, and no tenants objected to the work done.

57 East 97th Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. YD420002RP (8/20/10) [4-pg. doc.]