Rent-Stabilized Rent Frozen Based on Missing Annual Rent Registrations

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of rent overcharge. The DHCR ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $740, including interest. Landlord appealed and lost. The overcharge finding was based on a rent freeze imposed because landlord hadn't registered tenant's rent between 2013 and 2017. Landlord argued that he had been ill and had technical difficulties completing online registration as now required by the DHCR. But these factors didn't excuse landlord from his responsibility to complete annual rent registration filings. The rent freeze would remain in place until landlord completed the missing rent registrations.

Acosta: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. FV210034RO (6/27/18) [4-pg. doc.]