Tenant's Rent Reduced for Bedbug Infestation

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of a reduction in required services based on bedbug infestation in her apartment. She claimed that there had been bedbugs for over two years and that landlord failed to investigate the apartments below hers for infestation. Landlord argued that it had an exterminator perform service at tenant's apartment many times, that tenant had commenced an HP proceeding in housing court, that two other tenants were joined into that proceeding, and that it expected the issue to be resolved in the court case. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent, based on proof that included an HPD violation for bedbugs. Landlord appealed and lost. The DRA reasonably determined that tenant's claim was supported by HPD records, including an open violation for tenant's apartment at the time of the DRA ruling. And landlord submitted no proof that the bedbug problem had been resolved. For example, landlord didn't submit a Certificate of Correction filed with HPD.

S & W Realty LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. GX210007RO (8/11/20) [2-pg. doc.]