No Proof that Tenant Representative Had Authorization

Tenants complained of a reduction in services, based on defects in the elevator door. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents. Landlord later applied for a rent restoration based on the restoration of services. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed and lost. The DHCR said tenants answered landlord's rent restoration application through their representative, and the answer was signed only by their representative. But no proof that the representative was authorized to appear for tenants had been submitted. So the DRA properly refused to accept tenants' answer to landlord's application. However, even if the answer had been accepted, an inspection showed that landlord had restored the service in question.

Watson: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. UF430047-RT (10/20/06) [2-pg. doc.]