Tenant Didn't File Answer on Time

(Decision submitted by Patti Stone of the Manhattan law firm of Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., attorneys for the landlord.) Landlord applied for high-rent/high-income deregulation of tenant's apartment. The DRA ruled for landlord based on tenant's failure to answer the DRA's notice of landlord's petition. Tenant appealed, claiming that he was confused because he'd received an order denying landlord's prior deregulation petition. Tenant also claimed that his annual income was below the threshold for deregulation. The DHCR ruled against tenant. Tenant didn't deny receiving notice of landlord's 1996 deregulation petition. The notice form clearly advised tenant that he was required to respond and verify his income within 60 days of receipt of the DRA's notice of the deregulation petition.

Juro: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. KL410055RT (4/9/98) [3-page document]