CA430053RT
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.: CB610083RT
VARIOUS TENANTS OF RENT
2330 WALLACE AVENUE ADMINISTRATOR'S DOCKET
NO.: BF610047B
PETITIONERS
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ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
On February 1, 1988 the above named petitioner-tenants filed a
Petition for Administrative Review against an order of the Rent
Administrator issued December 30, 1987 concerning the housing
accommodations known as various apartments, 2330 Wallace Avenue,
Bronx, NY, wherein the Administrator ordered a rent reduction of
$3.00 per month for rent controlled tenants but determined that a
rent reduction was not warranted for stabilized tenants.
The Commissioner has carefully reviewed all the evidence of record
and has carefully considered that portion relevant to the issues
raised on appeal.
A review of the record reveals that in July 1987, twelve tenants in
this 107 unit building joined in filing a complaint alleging in
relevant part that the owner had failed to provide adequate heat
and hot water services on various days between January and April
1987.
A DHCR inspector visited the building on October 7 and 26, 1987.
Of the twelve complaining tenants, the inspector gained access to
six apartments and was advised by the tenants that the hot water
temperature was OK or that the tenants had never made a complaint.
The remaining six apartments did not provide access.
The tenant representative was informed on November 17, 1987 that
the inspector reported that he had been told that the conditions
complained of had been corrected. In response, a representative
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stated that the problem with the heat and hot water occurs only
during periods of extremely cold temperatures.
The order appealed herein was issued on December 16, 1987 denying
the tenants' complaint but including a warning to the landlord to
provide adequate heat and hot water service.
In the petition for administrative review, the tenants, through
counsel, assert that they were denied due process because they were
not served with a copy of the owner's answer, that one physical
inspection before the heating season commenced was insufficient to
resolve this complaint of a lack of heat and hot water services
which continues to exist, that a hearing should have been held, and
that a rent reduction should have been ordered.
In answer to the petition, the owner, through counsel, alleges that
the tenants were not denied due process because no answer to the
complaint was submitted by the owner, that the order was properly
based on inspections in October because heating season begins
October 1, and that it was within DHCR's discretion to determine
the tenants' complaint without a hearing.
After careful consideration of the entire evidence of record, the
Commissioner is of the opinion that the petition should be denied.
Section 2523.4 of the Rent Stabilization Code requires the Division
to order a rent reduction, upon application by a tenant, where it
is found that the owner has failed to maintain required services.
Required services are defined in Section 2520.6(r) to include heat
and hot water services.
For rent controlled tenants, Section 2202.16 of the Rent and
Eviction Regulations authorizes a rent reduction where there has
been a decrease in essential services which include heat and hot
water services.
The evidence of record supports the Administrator's determination
that a rent reduction was not warranted. A review of the record
confirms that the owner did not submit an answer to the complaint
and the tenants were therefore not deprived of any due process
rights. The Rent Administrator's order was properly based on the
results of two physical inspections during the heating season
which revealed that adequate services were being provided. If the
problems alleged in the complaint persist as the tenants allege, a
subsequent complaint could have been filed but the Division's
records reveal that there have been no such complaints.
The decision to hold a hearing to resolve a complaint is within the
discretion of the Rent Administrator and the Commissioner is of the
opinion that it was not an abuse of discretion to decline to have
a hearing in this case which was suitable for determination by
means of physical inspection. The tenants have not established any
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basis for modifying or revoking the Administrator's determination
that a rent reduction is not warranted.
Therefore in accordance with the Rent Stabilization Law and Code
and the Rent and Eviction Regulations for New York City, it is
ORDERED that this petition be and the same hereby is denied and the
Rent Administrator's order be and the same hereby is affirmed.
ISSUED:
JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
Deputy Commissioner
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