Landlord Must Cover Cost of Conversion from Gas to Electric Stoves

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to convert gas stoves and ranges to electric stoves/ranges in a rent-stabilized building. Landlord pointed out that the building's gas pipelines were over 60 years old and replacement of them would be disruptive. The DRA approved landlord's request to modify building-wide services on the condition that landlord replace the appliances at its sole cost without charging any of that cost to tenants. The DRA also directed landlord to reduce tenants' rents to compensate them for the exclusion of cooking fuel, which had been included in their rent. The monthly rent reductions ordered were $22 for studio apartments, $25 for one-bedroom units, $28 for two-bedroom units, and $31 for three-bedroom units.

Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord objected only to the portion of the order requiring it to pay for the appliance replacement, and claimed it should be permitted to seek MCI rent increases for the stove replacements. The DHCR disagreed. This condition was consistent with DHCR precedent, and landlord showed no cases where the DHCR approved MCI increases after conversion from gas to electric stoves.

Rockaway One Company, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket Nos. IT110009RO et al. (3/25/22)[3-pg. document]