Tenant's Rent Frozen Because No Renewal Leases Given

Tenant complained of a rent overcharge. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered landlord to refund $6,700. The DRA imposed triple damages and froze tenant's rent at the amount paid under his initial lease. Landlord appealed and lost. First, landlord never filed annual apartment registrations, claiming he didn't know he was required to do so. In addition, landlord increased tenant's rent but never gave tenant any renewal leases. Tenant therefore became a month-to-month tenant after his initial lease ended, and landlord couldn't collect any rent increase until he offered tenant a proper renewal lease.

De Souza: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VK210079RO (3/20/08) [3-pg. doc.]