Tenant Complained of Reduced Services Caused by Hurricane Sandy

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services following Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Tenant's building was located near the Con Edison power plant explosion that occurred during the storm. Tenant claimed that she had no heat, water, electricity, or phone service, that her apartment was uninhabitable, and that she had to move out temporarily. She also claimed that the city had issued a vacate order for her building. Tenant informed the DHCR's inspector on Nov. 7, 2012, that all services had been restored and agreed with the inspector to cancel a scheduled inspection. The DRA then dismissed tenant's complaint. Tenant appealed and lost. Since tenant had stated that all issues were resolved before the DRA ruled on her complaint, it was proper to terminate the proceeding. In addition, there was in fact no vacate order issued for tenant's building.

Shirk: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. BP410008RT (3/21/14) [3-pg. doc.]