Landlord Converted Gas Stoves to Electric Without Prior DHCR Approval

Five rent-stabilized tenants filed separate individual service reduction complaints with the DHCR based on replacement of their cooking gas service with electric cooking ranges in place of gas stovetops. The DRA ruled in each case for tenants and ordered landlord to restore cooking gas service.

Landlord appealed and lost. DHCR inspection confirmed that cooking gas wasn't being supplied to fixtures in tenants' kitchens. Landlord hadn't filed an application with the DHCR seeking permission to decrease the cooking gas service and no such order had been issued. If landlord restored cooking gas service to the apartments, it could file applications to restore rent. Otherwise, landlord could file an application with the DHCR to seek modification of tenants' cooking gas service pursuant to RSC Section 2522.4.

Chap Hill LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket Nos. KX41003RO through KS41007RO (2/7/23)[15-pg. document]