DOCKET NO.: BC-210192-RO and BC-210129-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


          ------------------------------------X
          IN THE MATTER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE :   ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
          APPEAL OF                           :   DOCKET NOS.: BC-210192-RO
                                              :   and BC-210129-RO
                                              :
                    JOSEPH NADOFF,            :   DRO DOCKET NO.: 36584
                                              :   EXAMINING UNIT
                                              :
                                              :   TENANT: IDA SMITH
                              PETITIONER      :
          ------------------------------------X


           ORDER AND OPINION GRANTING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW 
                                       IN PART


          On March 10, 1987 the above-named petitioner-owner filed a Petition 
          for Administrative Review against an order issued on February 5, 
          1987 by the Rent Administrator, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, New 
          York, concerning the housing accommodations known as 1580 East 18th 
          Street, Brooklyn, New York, Apartment 5-A wherein the Administrator 
          amended the Registration.

          The owner's petition was erroneously assigned two docket numbers 
          which are consolidated for disposition herein.

          The Commissioner has reviewed all of the evidence in the record and 
          has carefully considered that portion of the record relevant to the 
          issues raised in the Administrative appeal.

          The tenant commenced this proceeding on November 7, 1984 by filing 
          a timely objection to the 1984 apartment registration, claiming 
          that twenty-one services were either provided by the owner when she 
          first took occupancy, or were omitted or were incorrect.

          In response, the owner enumerated those services which it did 
          provide and disclaimed responsibility for services which it alleged 
          were not supplied on the base date, including, inter alia 
          air conditioner, venetian blinds, storage room, radio in elevator 
          and lobby, and full-time porter.

          The tenant replied that each of the afore-mentioned services had 
          been owner-provided since May 31, 1974, the initial date of the 














          DOCKET NO.: BC-210192-RO and BC-210129-RO



          tenant's occupancy.  In support thereof, the tenant submitted 
          affidavits from twenty-five (25) tenants in the subject building 
          affirming the tenant's allegations.

          In the order issued on February 5, 1987, the Administrator 
          determined that the owner provides all items cited by the tenant.  
          The Administrator amended the registration to include air 
          conditioner, venetian blinds, screens, kitchen linoleum, storage 
          room and lobby radio as base date services.

          In its appeal, the owner contends that the tenant is supplied with 
          only one air conditioner as is stated in the tenant's initial 
          lease.  Fire department regulations required the removal of all 
          flammable items from the storage room and the owner is not 
          responsible for any remaining items.  Although a full-time super is 
          employed, the porter has always been a part-time employee.  If in 
          the past the super serviced tenants' venetian blinds, he did so on 
          his own time as venetian blinds is not a building-wide service.  
          With respect to radio in the lobby, and in the elevator, the owner 
          asserts that the former owner stated that radio had never been 
          provided in the lobby or elevator and therefore is not a building- 
          wide service.

          In reply, the tenant contends that because the owner has provided 
          no evidence to effectively dispute the base date services listed in 
          the order, the appeal should be denied.  The tenant further 
          contends that the order should be sustained because identical 
          findings were made in a previous order.

          The Commissioner is of the opinion that the petition should be 
          granted in part and the Administrator's order should be modified.

          The tenant submitted to the Administrator twenty-five (25) 
          affidavits from other tenants, all of whom affirmed the tenant's 
          allegations with respect to building-wide base date services.  The 
          owner relies on unsubstantiated statements to support his 
          contentions.  The Commissioner finds that except for two items, the 
          Administrator properly relied on the evidence of record and was 
          correct in its determination.  As for venetian blinds, the Division 
          has repeatedly held that maintenance and repair of venetian blinds 
          is the responsibility of the tenant notwithstanding that fact that 
          the owner provides such blinds and must replace them when they can 
          no longer be repaired.  

          As for the radio or music in the lobby or elevator the Commissioner 
          finds that this is a minor item that does not have to be included 
          on the registration statement for the building.









          DOCKET NO.: BC-210192-RO and BC-210129-RO

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

          ORDERED, that this petition be, and the same hereby is, granted in 
          part and the Rent Administrator's order be, and the same hereby is, 
          modified in accordance with the order and opinion.

          ISSUED:





                                                                           
                                                  JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                                  Deputy Commissioner