Security Camera System Not Connected to All Building Entrances

The DRA granted landlord's application for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of a boiler/burner, security camera, and pointing. Tenants appealed and won, in part. Tenants claimed that the security camera didn't qualify as an MCI because not all entrances were covered. The DHCR ruled for tenants and revoked that portion of the MCI rent increase. Tenants used a front entrance at 22 Pell Street and there was no security camera there. DHCR policy is that, for a television security system to qualify as an MCI, all entrances to the building must be monitored on a 24-hour basis, or there must be visual capacity in each apartment in connection with a functioning intercom. Here, one entrance had no camera and there was no camera connected to a functioning intercom in tenant apartments.

Various Tenants of 20-22 Pell Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. BV410035RT (6/30/17) [2-pg. doc.]