Lease Contained Inconsistencies

Tenant complained of a rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant. Tenant appealed, claiming that the DRA improperly calculated the legal rent for her apartment. The DHCR ruled for tenant. Landlord had submitted a vacancy lease for prior tenant, which DRA used to calculate legal rent. But this lease had inconsistencies. The tenant signature didn't match the printed tenant name. The lease was dated one month after its start date. And the lease wasn't reflected in rent registration records for the apartment. The DHCR recalculated the legal rent and ordered landlord to refund $4,500.

Mullen: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. NO. SL210052RT (1/18/05) [4-pg. doc.]