No MCI Rent Hike for Mailboxes Not Relocated

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of entrance doors, exterior restoration work, and new mailboxes. The DRA ruled for landlord in part, granting rent hikes for the doors and exterior work. But the DRA denied any increase for the mailboxes. Landlord appealed, claiming that tenants never had mailboxes before. Previously, mail was distributed to tenants from the management office. The DHCR ruled against landlord. The installation of mailboxes per se isn't an MCI. The structural relocation of mailboxes to a more secure area behind locked doors is what qualifies as an MCI. In addition, landlord's MCI application form stated that there were 63 old mailboxes that were 25 years old. Landlord merely replaced these with 63 new mailboxes in the same location.

317-325 West 30th Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VJ410111RO (5/15/08) [2-pg. doc.]