AI 610235 RO
                                
                        STATE OF NEW YORK
            DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL
                  OFFICE OF RENT ADMINISTRATION
                           GERTZ PLAZA
                     92-31 UNION HALL STREET
                     JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11433
                                
                                
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IN THE MATTER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE     ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
APPEAL OF                               DOCKET NO.: AI 610235 RO

     PETR RALSTON                       DISTRICT RENT
                                        ADMINISTRATOR'S DOCKET
NO.: BS 003718 S
                        PETITIONER
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  ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
                                
      On September 5, 1986 the above named petitioner-owner filed
a Petition for Administrative Review against an order of the Rent
Administrator   issued  August 28,  1986.   The  order  concerned
housing  accommodations  known as Apt.  6-E  located  at  91  Van
Cortland  Avenue  West,  Bronx, N.Y,  wherein  the  Administrator
ordered  a  rent  reduction  based  on  a  finding  of  decreased
services.

      The  Commissioner  has reviewed the  record  and  carefully
considered  that portion relevant to the issues  raised  by  this
appeal.

      The  tenant commenced this proceeding by filing a Statement
of  Complaint of Decrease in Services on October 15,  1985.   The
complaint was served on the owner and an opportunity was given to
respond thereto.

      The  Administrator  ordered a physical  inspection  of  the
premises.  Based on the inspector's report of decreased services,
the  Administrator issued the order here under review  on  August
28, 1986. A rent reduction was ordered.

     On appeal, the owner states that the doorbell has been fixed
and  that there is no roach infestation.  The tenant did not file
a response.

      After  careful  review of the evidence in the  record,  the
Commissioner  is  of  the  opinion that the  petition  should  be
denied.

      The  statements in the petition are unclear as to when  the
alleged  repairs  have  been done.  If the repairs  predated  the
order  here  under  review, then the owner's  statements  are  at
variance  with  the  inspector's report.  It is  settled  that  a
report  of a DHCR inspector is entitled to more probative  weight
than the unsupported allegations of a party to the proceeding. If
the  alleged  repairs followed the issuance  of  the  order,  the
petitioner's  remedy  is  to  file  for  rent  restoration.   The
Administrator's order is, therefore, affirmed.

      THEREFORE, pursuant to the Rent Stabilization Law and Code,
it is

      ORDERED,  that  this petition be, and the same  hereby  is,
denied, and that the Rent Administrator's order be, and the  same
hereby is, affirmed.

ISSUED:




Joseph A. D'Agosta
                                   Acting Deputy Commissioner