No Proof of Family Relationship Between Tenant and Occupant

Apartment occupant complained that landlord wouldn't give her a renewal lease after rent-stabilized tenant moved out. She claimed that she had lived in the apartment with tenant for at least 10 years, until he moved out and stopped paying the rent. Landlord claimed that occupant didn't show that she had an emotional and financial commitment and interdependence with tenant. The DRA ruled against occupant. She appealed and lost. Although requested by the DRA, occupant submitted no utility bills or income tax statements to show any financial connection with tenant. With her PAR, occupant submitted a letter from another tenant stating that the former tenant had presented himself with occupant and her children as a family until he abandoned them and stopped paying rent. But she submitted insufficient proof of any financial or emotional relationship with tenant to prove a family-type relationship. Therefore, she couldn't claim pass-on rights to the apartment.

Marquez: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VI110053RT (11/2/07) [3-pg. doc.]