Tile Wall in Bathroom

Tenant of a luxury rent-stabilized apartment complained of a rent overcharge. Landlord claimed that a number of improvements were made to the apartment, warranting a rent increase. The DRA disallowed a rent increase for a new tile wall in the bathroom. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Generally, the installation of ceramic tiles on the floor or walls of a bathroom is considered to be ordinary maintenance or repair, unless it's done in connection with a renovation. Here, in addition to the tile wall, landlord cleaned bathroom tiles, floor, and bathtub with muriatic acid, installed vanities, medicine cabinets, a bathroom door, door lock, track lights, and a bathtub and shower body. Some of this work warranted a rent increase. But the work didn't constitute a renovation, so no increase was warranted for the tile walls.

1070 Madison Avenue, Apt. 8S: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. Nos. HA 410055-RO; HA 410079-RT (2/25/94) [13-page document]