Landlord Who'll Pay for Related Tenant Electricity Costs Can Replace Gas Stoves with Electric

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to convert gas stoves to electric stoves in its building's rent-regulated apartments. The DRA ruled for landlord, with no change to the legal regulated rents. Tenant appealed and lost. At minimum, tenant sought a permanent rent reduction due to the change in service. She claimed that an electric stove wasn't an adequate substitute for a gas stove but was a decrease in services, and that the conversion would increase her electric bill. However, it's the DHCR's established position that conversion of gas cooking stoves to electric cooking stoves, with no change in the legal regulated rent, is an adequate substitution of services that isn't inconsistent with the RSL or RSC. And, as reflected in the DRA's order, landlord agreed to connect the wiring for the electric stoves to its own electric meter and panel, and to pay the costs of installing, maintaining, and operating the stoves. Landlord specifically agreed to pay all electric costs associated with the tenants' use of the stoves so their electricity costs wouldn't increase. 

Harris: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. IV410017RT (10/18/21)[2-pg. document]