MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

No MCI Rent Hike for Piecemeal Roof Installation

November 14, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of a new roof. The DRA ruled against landlord, finding that the work had been done piecemeal. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord's documentation...

No MCI Rent Hike for New Stairs with Reused Parts

November 14, 2013    

The DRA granted landlord's application for MCI rent hikes based on resurfacing of all public areas, but denied that portion of the application based on partial replacement of a staircase. Landlord appealed and...

No MCI Rent Hike for Additional Security Cameras

November 14, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of a surveillance system. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. Landlord obtained a prior MCI increase for the existing surveillance...

Construction Supervision Costs Excluded from MCI Increase

November 13, 2013    

(Decision submitted by David Hershey-Webb of the Manhattan law firm of Himmelstein, McConnel, Gribben, Donoghue & Joseph, attorneys for the tenants.)

MCI Application Filed Too Late

November 13, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on elevator upgrading. The DRA ruled against landlord, finding that its application was filed more than two years after the work was completed and therefore was untimely....

Partial Parapet Wall Installation Doesn't Qualify as MCI

October 15, 2013    

The DRA denied landlord's application for MCI rent hikes based on a parapet installation. Landlord appealed and lost. The complete replacement of parapet walls qualifies as an MCI. But partial replacement of a...

No Rent Hike for Handicap Ramp Without Submission of Disabled Tenant List

October 15, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on a number of improvements. The DRA granted landlord's application for rent increases based on doors, locks, and cylinders but denied any rent increase for the temporary...

Handicap Platform Lift Doesn't Qualify as MCI

October 15, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of a vertical platform lift. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. Landlord argued that the lift installation was required by law to...

Stairway Reconfiguration Doesn't Qualify as MCI

October 15, 2013    

The DRA denied landlord's MCI rent increase application based on new stairs to the building basement and drain relocation. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that the stairs were reconstructed and...

Landlord Didn't Provide Correct Tenant Mailing Addresses

October 15, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of closed-circuit TV, a new water tank, new elevators, and new windows. The DRA initially ruled for landlord but then revoked the rent increases based on...

Rewiring Not Performed Building-Wide

October 15, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on rewiring. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. Tenants pointed out that, while landlord's contract stated that new circuit breaker 12-pole panels...

Water Intrusion Unrelated to Roof Replacement

October 15, 2013    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on roof replacement. The DRA ruled against landlord based on water intrusion it determined was related to the MCI. Landlord appealed and won. Landlord argued that defects...