Rent-Stabilized Tenant Can't Add Son-in-Law as Co-Tenant

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR when landlord refused to add the name of her son-in-law to her renewal lease as a co-tenant. The DRA ruled against tenant, who appealed and lost. Tenant argued that her son-in-law had separated from her daughter but that she needed him for help with medical issues and rent payment. The son-in-law had signed a prior renewal lease in 2013. The DHCR ruled against tenant because, although the son-in-law cosigned tenant's 2013 renewal lease, that lease was offered only to tenant and the son-in-law's signature was unsolicited. The Rent Stabilization Code requires only that a spouse be added to a rent-stabilized lease upon tenant's request. And the apartment wasn't the son-in-law's primary residence.

Saunders: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. HW610005RT (12/11/19) [1-pg. doc.]