NYS DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL

DHCR Miscalculated Rent Overcharge by Overlooking Rent Restoration Order

September 26, 2022    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $13,865, including triple damages, and minus a partial refund. Landlord appealed and won, in part. The DRA...

Legal Rent Set by HPD in 2001 Took Precedence Over Prior Rent Frozen by DHCR

September 26, 2022    

Tenants complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in 2018. The DRA ruled against tenants. Although there were open rent reduction orders going back to 1999 that froze the apartment's rent, an HPD order dated...

DHCR Determines That Apartment Not Subject to Rent Stabilization

September 26, 2022    

Landlord asked the DHCR for a ruling on whether tenant's apartment was rent stabilized. The DRA ruled that the apartment wasn't subject to rent regulation. Tenant appealed, and the DHCR reversed the ruling...

Tenant Claims Landlord Didn't Provide Backup Battery for Key Fob System

September 26, 2022    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify required services at a rent-stabilized building by replacing the metal key system for the building's entry door with an electronic key fob system. The DRA granted...

Landlord Can Replace Night Lobby Attendant with Overnight Video System

September 26, 2022    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify a rent-stabilized building's 24-hour lobby attendant services. Landlord sought to replace an in-person attendant with electronic door and lobby monitoring system...

Landlord Didn't Prove Apartment Was Properly Vacancy-Deregulated

September 26, 2022    

Tenant asked the DHCR in 2018 for an administrative determination (AD) that his apartment was subject to rent stabilization. In response, landlord claimed that the unit had been vacancy-deregulated. 

The...

Landlord Didn't Disclose That Contractor Was Its Employee

September 26, 2022    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of front, vestibule, and courtyard doors at its building. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed and won.

Pointing and Waterproofing Work Was Distinct from Prior Pointing Work

September 26, 2022    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes. The DRA ruled for landlord based on installation of a new roof, scaffolding, pointing, waterproofing, and lintels. Tenants appealed and lost. Tenants claimed that the MCI costs...

New Sidewalks, Vault Repairs, and Garage Ramp Not Eligible for MCI Rent Hikes

September 14, 2022    

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

MCI Rent Hike Granted for Asbestos Removal Related to Roof Replacement

September 14, 2022    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of a new roof, asbestos removal, air monitoring, and placement of a sidewalk bridge during the work. The DRA ruled for landlord and increased tenants'...

Landlord Properly Cleared "C" Violations on Record

September 14, 2022    

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on installation of apartment doors, asbestos abatement, a new burner, entrance doors, plumbing, pointing, and a new roof. The DHCR ruled for landlord.

No Useful Life Requirement Prevented MCI Rent Hike If No Prior Hike Was Granted

September 14, 2022    

The DHCR's DRA granted landlord's application for MCI rent hikes based on gas re-piping. Tenant appealed and lost. Tenant claimed that landlord's application stated that the existing gas piping was 20...