TRIPLE DAMAGES ORDERED

Triple Damages Applied to Post-HSTPA Overcharge Despite Refund Made While Complaint Pending

March 28, 2025    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR about rent overcharge in 2020. She claimed that her rent had been frozen pursuant to a previously issued DHCR rent reduction order. The DRA ruled for tenant, finding...

Rent Overcharge Properly Determined Using Default Method

March 24, 2025    

Tenant complained to the DHCR in October 2019 of rent overcharge and improper apartment deregulation. Landlord claimed that the apartment was vacancy deregulated in 2014, before tenant moved into the unit in 2017....

No Waiver Under HSTPA of Triple Damages for De Minimis Overcharge

March 24, 2025    

Tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge, claiming that she moved into the apartment in 1999, that her current share of her subsidized rent was $199 per month, and that landlord was improperly charging her...

Rent Overcharge Found After Calculating Lawful Rent Increases for Period of Temporary Exemption

February 24, 2025    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR that landlord failed to renew his lease and overcharged him. Tenant claimed that certain claimed individual apartment improvements (IAIs) hadn't been completed. The...

Rent Freeze Resulted from Prior Rent Reduction Order

January 22, 2025    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in July 2019. She claimed that landlord had increased her rent without a renewal lease. Landlord claimed that tenant had refused to sign a renewal...

Triple Damages and Interest Properly Assessed Before Deducting Overcharge Refund

January 21, 2025    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in September 2019. Landlord claimed that the overcharge was an inadvertent clerical oversight and wasn't willful. Landlord also issued a $4,087...

Triple Damages Properly Assessed for Overcharge Based on Non-Itemized IAIs

November 25, 2024    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant, finding that landlord failed to sufficiently prove claimed individual apartment improvements (IAIs) and directing landlord...

No Rent Increases Permitted Where Tenant Refused to Sign Defective Renewal Leases

October 23, 2024    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in 2022. The DRA ruled for tenant  and ordered landlord to refund $15,881, including triple damages. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed...

On-Time Rent Payment Clause Was Invalid

October 23, 2024    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of rent overcharge in 2018, claiming that landlord's rent increases and claimed preferential rent were improper. The DRA ruled for tenant, finding that although the tenant's...

DHCR Must Award Triple Damages for Post-HSTPA Overcharge Complaint

October 23, 2024    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in 2022. The DRA ruled for tenant and found that landlord owed tenant overcharges totalling $1,561 with interest. The DRA also found that landlord owed...

Willful Rent Overcharge Resulted from Unlawful and Discontinued On-Time Rent Concession

September 23, 2024    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $90,000, including triple damages and interest. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord had...

Triple Damages Properly Assessed in Pre-HSTPA Overcharge Proceeding

August 26, 2024    

Tenant complained to the DHCR of rent overcharge in 2017. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $13,025, including triple damages and interest. Among other things, the DRA ruled that landlord and...