Approved Change in Trash Disposal Method Warranted Monthly $5 Rent Reduction

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify required building services by converting a manually operated freight elevator with an automatic passenger elevator, modifying the trash disposal procedure, and transitioning the porter into a part-time doorman. The DRA ruled for landlord.

Tenants appealed and won, in part. The DRA had granted landlord permission to modify the trash/recycling disposal procedure from tenants dropping of their trash and recyclables in bins by the freight elevator where the garbage was picked up by the porter to now having to carry their own garbage to the basement. The DHCR agreed that this change constituted a decrease in services warranting a permanent rent reduction for each tenant of $5 per month. So the service modification order was altered based on an irregularity in a vital matter.

Various Tenants of 574 West End Avenue: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. LM430005RT (3/19/25)[3-pg. document]