Landlord Relocated Laundry Room to Basement Without DHCR Approval

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services based on landlord’s relocation of the building’s laundry room from tenant’s floor to the building basement. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord argued that no required service was reduced but that tenant was merely inconvenienced.  But the DHCR found that landlord had modified a required building service without obtaining prior DHCR approval to do so. Tenant’s rent was properly reduced. Landlord could file an application for permission to modify services with the DHCR.

HFZ 88 Lexington Avenue Owner LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. EO410016RO (7/13/16) [2-pg. doc.]