No Increase for Key Card Door Without Prior Approval

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on the installation of a new vestibule door. The new door was opened by electronic key cards issued to tenants. Tenants objected, claiming that the door didn't open during power failures and that they were not given a chance to comment before this door was installed. The DRA ruled against landlord. Landlord appealed and lost. Before seeking an MCI hike for this work, landlord should have applied for permission from the DHCR to modify the building services. Since landlord never did so, it could not get an MCI hike for this work.

216 West 102nd St.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket Nos. SD430029RO & SD430072RT (11/9/06) [5-pg. doc.]