MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

Landlord Didn't Accurately Report Commercial Space in Building

February 18, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on exterior restoration work. The DRA ruled against landlord based on its failure to submit documentation required to process the application. Landlord appealed and lost....

Door Plates and Floor Signs Don't Qualify as MCIs

February 18, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on new intercoms, apartment and common area doors, and hallway renovation. The DRA ruled for landlord in part, but disallowed certain claimed costs as ineligible. The DRA...

MCI Increase Temporarily Offset by 50 Percent of Annual J-51 Benefit

February 18, 2014    

The DRA granted landlord's application for MCI rent hikes. Later, the DRA granted a temporary offset of the MCI increase because landlord had received a J-51 tax abatement for the MCIs. Landlord appealed and lost...

Hallway Construction and Repair Work Qualified

January 15, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on building-wide rewiring. The DRA ruled for landlord in part, excluding any increase for engineering/architectural fees, hallway construction and painting, and hallway...

No MCI Rent Hike for Vestibule Work

January 15, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of a new front door and mailboxes, and vestibule work. The DRA granted an increase for the door but otherwise ruled against landlord, who appealed and...

MCI Rent Hike Granted for New Entrance Doors

January 15, 2014    

The DRA granted landlord's MCI rent increase application based on the installation of new entrance doors. Tenant appealed and lost. Landlord submitted adequate documentation of the qualifying work performed and...

Later HPD Violations Didn't Retroactively Bar MCI Increases

January 15, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on gas and water repiping. The DRA ruled for landlord, and tenants appealed. Tenants claimed that landlord's costs weren't sufficiently proven and that a DHCR...

Installation of New Water Service Didn't Qualify as MCI

January 15, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of water service and mailboxes. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. Landlord had installed new water service from the existing tap at...

Intercom and Door Release Systems Qualify as MCIs

January 15, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of an intercom and door release system for the building's main entrance door. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenant appealed and lost. Tenant claimed...

No MCI Rent Hike for Asbestos Removal or Architectural Fees

January 15, 2014    

The DRA denied landlord's MCI rent increase application based on the installation of a roof and parapet/bulkhead, asbestos removal, and architectural fees. Landlord appealed and won in part. The DRA had asked...

Use Tax and Sales Tax Excluded from MCI Increase

January 15, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on elevator upgrading. The DRA ruled for landlord except that it disallowed the cost of use tax and sales tax. Tenant appealed, claiming that her room count was incorrect....

Government Filing Fees Excluded from MCI Increase

January 15, 2014    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of a fuel storage tank. The DRA ruled for landlord except that it disallowed any increase for filing fees and other costs for obtaining government...