No MCI Rent Hike for Rewiring Done in Two Phases

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on electrical rewiring. The DRA ruled against landlord, finding that the work was done on a piecemeal basis. Landlord appealed and lost. The work was done in two phases, with a four-year gap in between. And landlord didn't provide a good reason for the delay. Landlord claimed that it had cash flow problems, but submitted no documentation to prove this. Landlord also claimed that its contractor had other commitments and that there were problems gaining access to some apartments. But this was unpersuasive, given the unreasonable length of time between the two phases of the work.

56 Mott Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. WD410008RP (4/24/09) [3-pg. doc.]