Renewal Lease Dispute Resolved Through DHCR Lease Violation Proceeding

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR in 2021 that landlord failed to send her a renewal lease. In response, landlord said that this was an oversight, that it had now sent tenant the renewal lease via certified mail, and that she should sign and return the renewal lease form to landlord. Tenant told the DRA that she received and signed the renewal lease. The DRA then terminated the proceeding.

Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord argued that tenant never returned the 2021 renewal lease offered and that tenant later received ERAP funds to pay rent arrears but then stopped paying rent. Landlord also claimed that tenant was profiteering by subletting the apartment. Landlord had now sued tenant in housing court. The DHCR found that the renewal lease in question had been signed by both parties and that any other issues would be handled in the court proceeding.

Souza: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. LQ210013RO (7/18/23)[2-pg. document]