Rent Reduction Order Bars MCI Rent Hike

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on new gas piping. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. There was a DHCR building-wide rent reduction order in effect at the building when the DRA issued its order. Landlord claimed that the fire escape that was the subject of the rent reduction order was in safe and good condition. But it was established DHCR policy, set forth in Policy Statement 90-8, that an effective rent reduction order barred obtaining an MCI rent hike. And the DHCR had denied landlord's rent restoration application shortly before issuing its order denying the MCI increase. 

485 East 180th Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. YI630026RO (9/14/12) [2-pg. doc.]