Tenant Didn't Provide Acceptable Excuse for Not Answering Deregulation Application

Landlord applied for high-rent/high-income deregulation of tenant's apartment, because the rent was $2,000 or more per month. Tenant didn't answer the application's request for income certification. The DRA ruled for landlord based on tenant's default, and tenant appealed. Tenant was elderly and claimed she was in poor health and had been out of town for part of 1994. The DHCR ruled against tenant. Tenant received notice of landlord's application and was clearly informed that she had 60 days to answer. Neither tenant's age nor her illness implied an inability to read and understand the DHCR's notices. Tenant also never asked DHCR for an extension of time to answer the application.

Sternshein: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. JB410099RT (7/15/96) [2-page document]