Tenants Paid Additional Electrical Costs for New Heating Units

Tenants complained of a reduction in services. Landlord had removed the central boiler and replaced it with individual gas and electrical heating units. This forced tenants to pay for heat even though their leases said this service was to be provided by landlord. The DRA ruled for three of the five tenants and reduced their rents. The other two tenants appealed. They said they didn't speak English and may have incorrectly indicated in their answer forms that the condition had been corrected. The DHCR ruled for tenants and granted them rent reductions also. An inspection by the DRA showed all five apartments had the same conditions and all five tenants were paying additional electricity costs due to landlord's reduction in services.

Wong/Tang: DHCR Admin. Rev. Dckt. Nos. QG430024RT and QG430025RT (12/13/02) [3-pg. doc.]