Rent-Stabilized Tenant Never Received Initial Lease

Rent-stabilized tenant complained that landlord didn't give him a signed copy of his lease. Tenant claimed that he only had renewal lease forms. The DRA ruled against tenant. Tenant had a renewal lease in effect that had been signed by landlord. Tenant appealed, claiming that landlord never gave him an initial lease but only gave him renewal lease forms after he moved in. The DHCR ruled against tenant. The only leases landlord has to give tenant after tenant has lived in the apartment are renewal leases, which are on a short form issued by the DHCR. Tenant claimed that he had lived in the apartment since 1984. The DHCR can't make landlord give tenant a longer, detailed lease. If tenant signed an initial lease, he can ask landlord for a copy. If landlord never gave tenant an initial lease, the DHCR can't force landlord to do so now.

Mentis: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VF410069RT (9/7/07) [3-pg. doc.]