Work on Fire Escapes Doesn't Qualify

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on windows and exterior work. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed, claiming that no increase was warranted for work on the fire escapes. The DHCR ruled for tenants and revoked this part of the MCI rent hike. Landlord tacked welded areas where needed, removed loose rust build-up, applied rust-inhibiting primer and paint to the fire escape. This was repair work that didn't qualify as an MCI, even if it was done at the same time as exterior restoration work.

38 Livingston Tenants' Assn.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. NB210109RT (5/6/04) [9-pg. doc.]