NYS DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL

DHCR Applies HSTPA Changes to Landlord's Pending MCI Application After June 14, 2019

July 26, 2023    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes in April 2019 based on gas repiping. The DRA ruled for landlord but modified the rent increases that landlord applied for to conform with substantial changes to the rent increases...

Landlord No Longer Entitled to MCI Application for Group Work

July 26, 2023    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes in 2018 based on new windows, water service repiping, and kitchen and bathroom modernization work. The DRA ruled for landlord in part but, since its order was issued after June 14...

DHCR Denies Hot Water Complaint Where There Was No Outstanding HPD Violation

July 26, 2023    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR in January 2023 that landlord failed to provide hot water service to the building. The DRA ruled against tenant and dismissed the case after HPD records revealed no...

Landlord Who Refunded Overcharge Almost Four Years After Complaint Filed Avoids Triple Damages

July 26, 2023    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $38,315, including triple damages. Landlord appealed and won. Landlord pointed out that it...

Collecting Rent Increase from Rent-Stabilized Tenant Without Renewing Lease Resulted in Overcharge

July 26, 2023    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in 2018. The DRA ruled for tenant in part, setting the lawful monthly rent at $1,632 and finding a total overcharge $1,344, but directed no rent...

Landlord Must Refund $118,730 Based on 1989 Rent Reduction Order

July 26, 2023    

Tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in 2018. The DRA ruled for tenant. Although there was a four-year lookback period, an outstanding 1989 rent reduction order required the DRA to freeze tenant's $1,...

Tenant of Building Complex Can Complain About Services Reduced in Separate Building

July 26, 2023    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of a reduction in building-wide service. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent, based on findings that janitorial services and a patio sprinkler weren't being...

Rent Reduction Based in Part on Missing Carbon Monoxide Detector in Tenant's Apartment

July 26, 2023    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR that required services had been reduced. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent, based on findings that landlord hadn't maintained required services.

Landlord Waived Lawful Rent Increases

July 25, 2023    

Rent-stabilized tenant in Yonkers complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $576, including triple damages. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord had waived the...

Failure to Attach DHCR Rent Stabilization Riders to Renewal Leases Doesn't Invalidate Rents

July 25, 2023    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR in February 2019 that he had been overcharged. Tenant argued that landlord made false claims that individual apartment improvements (IAIs) made before tenant moved into...

Apartment Was Vacancy Deregulated After Rent-Controlled Tenant Moved Out

July 25, 2023    

Tenant complained to the DHCR in 2018, claiming rent overcharge and improper apartment deregulation. The DRA ruled against tenant, finding that the unit had been lawfully deregulated in 2010. Tenant had moved into...

Apartment Was Lawfully Deregulated After J-51 Tax Benefits Expired

July 25, 2023    

Tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge and improper apartment deregulation in February 2023. Tenant had moved into the unit in April 2021 at an initial rent of $3,850 per month. The DRA ruled against tenant...