REQUIRED SERVICES

Tenant's Long-Term Fenced-In Roof Patio Wasn't a De Minimis Service

May 24, 2021    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify services by eliminating a fenced-in private rooftop patio connected to rent-stabilized tenant's apartment. The DRA ruled for landlord on condition that landlord...

Approval of Intercom Modification Subject to One-Year Trial Period

May 24, 2021    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify required services at its building by replacing an existing copper wire intercom system with a telephone-based intercom system. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenant...

Landlord Needn't Restore Tenants to Occupancy After Fire Destroys Buildings

April 27, 2021    

Tenants of two adjoining buildings owned by landlord filed 16 individual service reduction complaints and two building-wide service reduction complaints with the DHCR. The complaints resulted from a DOB Vacate Order...

Names on Mailboxes Not a Required Service If Never Provided

April 27, 2021    

Rent-stabilized tenants complained to the DHCR of a reduction in building-wide services. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents, based on conditions that included mailbox issues. Landlord later applied for...

Court Revokes DHCR Approval of Landlord's Application to Modify Courtyard

April 23, 2021    

In 1991, prior landlord of an apartment complex completely paved over most of a large courtyard area--which had contained grass, trees, benches, an ornamental fountain, play area, and other amenities--for parking...

Landlord Can't Refuse to Accept Packages Based on Size and Electronic Content

March 29, 2021    

Tenant complained to the DHCR of a reduction in building-wide services, claiming that in 2014 landlord verbally directed the concierge/doorman to stop accepting package deliveries containing electronics...

Parking Space Was Required Service Despite No Written Agreement

March 29, 2021    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained in 2020 of a reduction in building-wide services after landlord sent him a 30-day termination notice concerning his parking spot in the building's garage. The DRA ruled for...

Parking Provided by Independent Garage Wasn't an Ancillary Service

February 24, 2021    

The DHCR's Rent Administrator opened an Administrative Proceeding to determine whether parking was a required service for rent-stabilized tenants at landlord's building. The DRA ruled that parking wasn't...

Landlord Can Replace Cooking Gas Service with Electric Stoves and Furnaces

February 24, 2021    

In June 2018, landlord applied to the DHCR for permission to modify services by replacing all of the building's gas cooking stoves and furnaces with electric appliances to provide the same services. Tenants...

Common Area Smoke Detectors Became Required Building Service

February 24, 2021    

Rent-stabilized tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services. They claimed that the elevator wasn't leveling,  there were no operating smoke detectors in public areas, and that the building...

Landlord Can Change Copper Wire Intercom to Telephone-Based System

February 23, 2021    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify building-wide services. The DRA ruled for landlord and granted its application to replace an existing copper wire intercom system with a telephone-based intercom...

Landlord Can Replace Metal Keys with Electronic Key Fobs

September 25, 2020    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify building services by replacing a building's metal key entry system with an electronic key fob system. The DRA ruled for landlord, as long as landlord complied with...