AL 410116 RT

                                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


      ------------------------------------X 
      IN THE MATTER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE :  ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
      APPEAL OF                              DOCKET NO. AL 410116 RT

                                          :  DISTRICT RENT OFFICE
           Paul Nassar,                      DOCKET NO. L-3115157-R
                                            
                                             TENANT: M. Melohn                
          
                            PETITIONER    : 
      ------------------------------------X                             


           ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW


      On December 5, 1986, the above-named tenant filed a Petition for 
      Administrative Review against an order issued on November 5, 1986, by 
      the District Rent Administrator, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, New York, 
      concerning the housing accommodations known as 100 Riverside Drive, 
      New York, New York, Apartment No. 7A, wherein the District Rent 
      Administrator determined that the owner had overcharged the tenant.

      The Commissioner notes that this proceeding was filed to prior April 1, 
      1984.  Sections 2526.1(a)(4) and 2521.1(d) of the Rent Stabilization 
      Code (effective May 1, 1987) governing rent overcharge and fair market 
      rent proceedings, provide that determination of these matters must be 
      based upon the law or code provisions in effect on March 31, 1984.  
      Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, reference to sections of the Rent 
      Stabilization Code (Code) contained herein are to the Code in effect on 
      April 30, 1987.

      This proceeding was commenced on March 22, 1984, by the tenant's filing 
      of a fair market rent adjustment application and a rent overcharge 
      complaint, with the New York City Conciliation and Appeals Board, the 
      agency formerly charged with enforcing the Rent Stabilization Law. 

      In Order Number CDR 25,745 issued November 5, 1986, the District Rent 
      Administrator determined that the owner had overcharged the tenant since 
      February 1, 1982 (thus finding no overcharge under the tenant's first 
      (1977) lease).  

      In appealing that determination the tenant faults the Administrator for 
      not finding an overcharge in that first lease (and in all subsequent 
      leases).




      At approximately the time that this petition was filed, the owner also 
      appealed the determination of overcharge, in a petition docketed at 







          AL 410116 RT

      number AL 410194 RO.  In responding to that petition the tenant argued, 
      as here, that his initial rent had been excessive.  The Commissioner has 
      since determined that appeal in an order issued on January 9, 1990, 
      concluding (a) that the Administrator erred in finding a post-1982 
      overcharge and (b) that the tenant's application for a fair-market rent 
      adjustment was untimely filed, so as to bar him from applying for a 
      reduction in the initial regulated rent.

      The Commissioner is of the opinion that the tenant's instant petition 
      should be denied.  In his fair-market rent adjustment application, 
      petitioner stated that the owner had served him with an Initial Legal 
      Regulated Rent Notice in February of 1977.  Since he did not file the 
      aforementioned application within 90 days after receiving that Notice, 
      the tenant is barred from applying for a reduction in the initial 
      regulated rent pursuant to Section 25 of the previous Rent Stabilization
      Code.  Thus the Commissioner cannot now entertain his contention that 
      the initial legal rent was excessive.

      THEREFORE, in accordance with the Rent Stabilization Law and Code, it is

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


      ISSUED:



                                                                    
                                      JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                      Acting Deputy Commissioner

    

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