MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

HSTPA Restriction Against MCI Increases Inapplicable on Appeal

August 24, 2020    

Landlord applied to the DHCR for MCI rent hikes based on facade work and accompanying architectural services. The DRA ruled for landlord and tenants appealed. Tenants claimed that the DRA incorrectly processed an MCI...

No MCI Increase for Lobby Renovations

August 17, 2020    

Landlord of the LeFrak City housing complex applied for MCI rent increases for four buildings with a separate connecting lobby structure based on lobby renovations. The DRA ruled for landlord in part but disallowed...

Landlord Gets MCI Rent Hike for Building-Wide Carpet Installation

August 17, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on new carpeting installed throughout the building. The DRA ruled for landlord.

Tenants appealed, and the DHCR denied their petition for administrative review (PAR)....

Landlord Gets MCI Rent Increase for Facade Restoration

July 24, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on facade restoration at its building. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed and lost. Tenants raised a number of claims that the DHCR found were groundless. They...

Landlord Can't Correct Room Count Errors in PAR

June 26, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on elevator upgrading. The DRA ruled for landlord. Landlord appealed, requesting a modification of the DRA's order. Landlord had mistakenly listed the total number of...

DHCR Reasonably Relied on Landlord's Lower Commercial Space Allocation

June 25, 2020    

Landlord applied to the DHCR for rent increases based on major capital improvements (MCIs) based on the installation of new boilers and burners. The tenants' association objected and, among other things, disputed...

MCI Costs Can Include Labor Costs for Landlord's Contracting Company

June 24, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of a new roof, front stoop/concrete yard improvements, new siding and trim, and a new front door and transom. The DRA ruled for landlord in part, but...

Engineer Fees Included in MCI Increase for A/C System Installation

June 23, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on new central air conditioning equipment. The DRA ruled for landlord in part but disallowed costs associated with a consulting engineer.

Landlord appealed and lost....

Hallway Flooring and Staircases Qualified as MCIs

March 11, 2020    

The DRA granted landlord's application for MCI rent hikes based on hallway flooring and staircase installations. Tenants appealed and lost. They claimed that the work consisted of only the replacement of old...

Gas Piping for Oil Burner Was Necessary Work Related to MCI

March 11, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of several improvements. The DRA granted an increase for a new boiler/burner with related boiler room doors, boiler breeching, and a new chimney. But the DRA...

Fire Alarm System Installation Doesn't Qualify as MCI

March 11, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of a new fire alarm system, fire alarm engineer costs, and burner replacement. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. The DHCR has...

MCI Rent Hike Granted for New Trash Compactor

February 11, 2020    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of building-wide windows and a new compactor. The DRA ruled for landlord, granting MCI rent increases. Tenant appealed and lost. Tenant claimed that no new...