DHCR Didn't Send Copy of Tenant's Letter to Landlord

Tenant complained of a reduction in services. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent. Landlord appealed. Among other things, landlord claimed that the DRA didn't serve landlord with a copy of tenant's response to a DRA inquiry letter. The DHCR ruled against landlord. The rent stabilization code only requires that applications or complaints, or any answers or replies thereto, be served on affected parties. Tenant's letter here was merely a response to a DHCR inquiry as to whether tenant wanted to continue with the proceeding. Tenant's response, by which he checked off a box on the form provided by the DHCR, didn't constitute an answer or reply that needed to be served on landlord. It contained no additional information.

TRB No. 1 Corp.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. KB510026RO (5/23/96) [4-page document]