Proof of Improvements Not Specific Enough

Tenant complained of a rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant, and landlord appealed. The DRA had allowed some rent increase for 1/40th improvements. But landlord claimed that the disallowance of other costs was in error. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Landlord claimed a number of specific improvements were made in a complete renovation of the apartment. But most of the bills and canceled checks landlord submitted weren't specific to tenant's apartment or detailed enough to warrant a rent increase. For example, landlord claimed ''carpentry'' costs in connection with improvements made but didn't state exactly what the carpentry work was for or for which apartment, and only submitted canceled checks to people claimed to be carpentry workers.

Dear: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. HL410157RO (7/18/96) [4-page document]