DHCR Decisions          CA 220223-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.:                                                    CA-220223-RO; CA 220356-RO                                         ARETHA MANAGEMENT,               RENT ADMINISTRATOR'S                                                        DOCKET NO.:                                                  BF-220258-S                                  PETITIONER      TENANT: Jean Miller          ----------------------------------x              ORDER AND OPINION GRANTING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW                           AND REVOKING ADMINISTRATOR'S ORDER            On January 27, 1988, the above-named tenant filed a petition for            Administrative Review of an order issued on January 8, 1988, by            a District Rent Administrator concerning the housing accommoda-            tion known as 150 Brighton 15th Street, Apartment 6-M, Brooklyn,            New York, wherein the Rent Administrator ordered a rent reduction            based on a diminution of services.            The record reveals that the owner's petition was erroneously as-            signed two docket numbers which are consolidated for disposition            herin.            The Commissioner has reviewed all of the evidence in the record            and has carefully considered that portion relevant to the issues            raised by the petition for review.            The tenant commenced this proceeding on June 9, 1987 by filing a            complaint of decreased services.  In the complaint the tenant            stated that, due to the owner's failure to correct a persistent            roof leak (over one year), water had damaged her television set            and draperies.            On January 8, 1988, the District Rent Administrator issued the            order here under review finding that, based on a physical            inspection of the subject apartment which occurred on November            19, 1987, the owner failed to correct certain conditions which            were stated in the tenant's complaint.  Specifically, the inspec-            tion disclosed water damage to the ceiling and walls in the          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            bedroom and bathroom in the apartment resulting from an active          CA 220223-RO            roof leak.  Based on a diminution of services the Administrator          CA 220223-RO            ordered a reduction in the Maximum Legal Rent totaling $6.00 per          CA 220223-RO            month.          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            In the petition the owner requests reversal of the Rent Adminis-          CA 220223-RO            trator's Order and contends in substance that, among other          CA 220223-RO            things, the tenant agreed to withdraw her complaint, under Docket          CA 220223-RO            No. BF-220258-S, as a part of a settlement agreement made on            CA 220223-RO            September 9, 1987 in a Civil Court proceeding.            CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            The tenant did not answer the petition although afforded the          CA 220223-RO            opportunity to do so.          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            The Commissioner is of the opinion that this petition should be          CA 220223-RO            granted.          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            Pursuant to paragraph 3 of the settlement of the Small Claims          CA 220223-RO            action signed by the parties on September 9, 1987, the tenant          CA 220223-RO            agreed "to withdraw her pending Division of Housing and Com-          CA 220223-RO            munity Renewal proceeding, under docket number BF 220258-S."            CA 220223-RO            Since the tenant withdrew her complaint before the Administra-          CA 220223-RO            tor's order was issued, the order should be revoked.          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            The landlord, however, is cautioned that the inspection on          CA 220223-RO            November 19, 1987 revealed that the repairs had not been done and          CA 220223-RO            the owner has a continuing obligation to provide all essential          CA 220223-RO            services including necessary repairs and maintenance.  The court          CA 220223-RO            settlement does not relieve the owner of the obligation to make          CA 220223-RO            repairs and does not impair the tenant's right to file another          CA 220223-RO            complaint based on the same conditions.          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            The tenant may refund any rent arrears due as a result of this          CA 220223-RO            order in twelve monthly installments.          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            THEREFORE, in accordance with the New York City Rent Control Law          CA 220223-RO            and Regulations, it is,          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            ORDERED, that this petition be, and the same hereby is, granted          CA 220223-RO            and that the District Rent Administrator's order be, and the same          CA 220223-RO            hereby is revoked.          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO            ISSUED:          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO          CA 220223-RO                                                        CA 220223-RO               JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA          CA 220223-RO               Acting Deputy Commissioner          CA 220223-RO