Tenants' Rents Reduced to $1 per Month Based on Utility Shut-Off

Tenants complained of reductions in apartment services following a fire at the building and building-wide discontinuance of utility service by an Orange and Rockland County utility company. Landlord claimed that it gave tenants rent abatements and was doing everything in its power to remedy the utility problem. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents to $1 per month. Landlord appealed and lost. Tenants collectively were forced to vacate their apartments as a result of the loss of utility service to their apartments, pending the correction of Building Code electrical violations discovered after the fire. Landlord can file for rent restorations once tenants have been restored to occupancy.

Regency Village Management: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket Nos. DS810015RO through DS810019RO (2/19/16) [3-pg. doc.]