REQUIRED SERVICES

Heat and Hot Water Weren't Base Date Services Provided by Landlord

October 29, 2018    

The DHCR's Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) filed service reduction complaints on behalf of six rent-stabilized tenants, claiming that inspection showed that the building's central heating/hot water system had...

Landlord's Relocation of Trash Receptacles Was Ordered by ECB

September 26, 2018    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in building-wide services because landlord no longer collected trash on individual floors in the building. Instead, tenants were now required to bring trash to a...

Tenants Get Up to Four Additional Key Fobs with Intercom Service Substitution

September 15, 2018    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify building services by substituting a traditional hard-wired intercom system with a telephone-based intercom system, and by substituting a traditional key lock system...

Garden Service Not Restored for Tenants Who Lived at Adjoining Address

August 21, 2018    

Tenants of a two-building apartment complex complained of a reduction in services based on landlord's removal of items and level of garden use. Tenants claimed that the garden previously had been accessible for...

Can Landlord Collect Rent Surcharge for Cable TV Service?

July 18, 2018    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of rent overcharge based on a cable TV service surcharge that landlord charged two tenants. The DHCR ruled for tenants and ordered landlord to refund the $35 monthly surcharge....

Landlord Can Reduce Size of Apartments to Comply with Building Code

July 18, 2018    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify the square footage of 24 apartments in its building, subject to the imposition of rent reductions. The DRA ruled for landlord, provided that tenants whose apartment...

Landlord Can Replace Metal Key Lock with Key Fob System

June 26, 2018    

Landlord applied for permission to replace a traditional metal key lock at a rent-stabilized building entrance with a magnetic lock and key fob locking system. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenant appealed and lost....

Landlord Can Substitute Telephone Intercom for Bell/Buzzer

May 22, 2018    

Landlord asked the DHCR to approve a modification of building-wide services by substituting a traditional, hard-wired intercom system with a telephone-based cell and/or landlord intercom system. The DRA ruled for...

Courtyard Use Was Required Ancillary Service

March 27, 2018    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in building-wide services. Tenant claimed that landlord had now barred tenant's use of the building courtyard, to reserve it for landlord's own use. The DRA...

DHCR Disapproves HVAC System Replacement That Shifts Costs to Tenants

December 18, 2017    

Landlord applied to the DHCR for approval of modification of services in connection with the building's heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Landlord sought to replace the existing fan coil heating and...

Landlord Can Replace Front Door Keys with Magnetic Lock and Key Fobs

November 22, 2017    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to replace a main entrance door key lock system with a magnetic lock/keycard system. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed and lost, but the DHCR clarified some of the...

Landlord Can Change Heating System If Tenants Bear No Costs for Heat

September 25, 2017    

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify services for two apartments after replacing the existing steel boiler with a building-wide dual heat pump/air conditioner system. The application indicated that...