BD 610335 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 NO.:  BD 610335 RO

                      HENRY BUNCH,
                                                  DISTRICT RENT ORDER
                                                  DOCKET NO.:  B 3101302 RT
                                  PETITIONER
          ----------------------------------X                                   

            ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

          On April  30,  1987  the  above-named  petitioner-owner  filed  a
          Petition for Administrative Review against  an  order  issued  on
          April 14, 1987  by  the  Rent  Administrator,  92-31  Union  Hall
          Street, Jamaica, New York concerning housing accommodations known 
          as 165 West 197th Street, Bronx, New York, Apartment 4J.

          The Commissioner notes that this proceeding was  initiated  prior
          to 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 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.

          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 by the administrative appeal.

          This proceeding was commenced on March 23,  1984  by  the  tenant
          filing a complaint of rent overcharge.  The tenant took occupancy 
          of  the  subject  apartment  pursuant  to  a   lease   commencing
          September 1, 1981 and expiring August 31, 1983 at a monthly  rent
          of $425.00.

          The prior owner was served with  a  copy  of  the  complaint  and
          directed to submit a complete rental history.  In  response,t  he
          petitioner-owner submitted, among other things, copies  of  lease
          dating from September 1, 1981 and a current rent roll.  The owner 
          subsequently advised that he was unable  to  locate  any  further
          documentation.

          In Order Number CDR 29,956, the  Rent  Administrator  established
          the lawful stabilization rent at $384.25 as of  August  31,  1987
          based on the owner's failure to submit  a  full  rental  history,
          determined that the tenant had been overcharged in the amount  of
          $6,989.90, including interest, and directed that  the  overcharge
          amount be refunded to the tenant.

          In this petition, the owner contends that  he  submitted  a  full






          BD 610335 RO
          rental  history   during   the   proceeding   before   the   Rent
          Administrator and resubmits a copy of same.

          The Commissioner is of the opinion that this petition  should  be
          denied.

          Section 42A of the Rent Stabilization Code requires that an owner 
          retain complete rent records for  each  stabilized  apartment  in
          effect from June 30,  1974  to  date  and  produce  them  to  the
          Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) upon demand.  If 
          the apartment was decontrolled from the  Rent  Control  Law,  the
          owner must  provide  satisfactory  documentary  evidence  of  the
          apartment's date of decontrol.

          In the instant case, the owner was directed to submit a  complete
          rental history.  The  owner  failed  to  submit  leases  or  rent
          ledgers going back to June 30, 1974 or to  show  that  the  prior
          tenant's lease was the initial stabilized lease  after  decontrol
          from the Rent Control Law.   Therefore,  the  Commissioner  finds
          that   the  Administrator  properly  found  that  the  owner  had
          defaulted in his obligation to provide a full rental history  and
          properly computed the legal regulated  rent  in  accordance  with
          established procedures.

          This order may, upon the expiration of the period  in  which  the
          owner may institute a proceeding pursuant to Article  78  of  the
          Civil Practice Law and Rules, be filed and enforced  as  judgment
          or not in excess of twenty  percent  per  month  thereof  may  be
          offset against any rent thereafter due the owner.

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

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

          ISSUED:
                                                  ------------------------
                                                  ELLIOT SANDER
                                                  Deputy Commissioner