DA410107RT
                                  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.: DA410107RT
                                                  
          BERNICE DIAMOND                         RENT
                                                  ADMINISTRATOR'S DOCKET 
                                                  NO.: CF420074OR
                                  PETITIONER            
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            ORDER AND OPINION GRANTING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
                                          
               On January 3, 1989 the above named petitioner-tenant filed a 
          Petition for Administrative Review against an order of the Rent 
          Administrator issued December 22, 1988. The order concerned housing 
          accommodations known as Apt. 6-C located at 127 Ludlow Street, New 
          York, N.Y.  The Administrator granted in part the owner's 
          application for rent restoration.  

               The Commissioner has reviewed the record and carefully 
          considered that portion relevant to the issues raised by this 
          appeal.

               The owner commenced this proceeding on June 16, 1988 by filing 
          a rent restoration application seeking restoration of rent that had 
          been reduced in the order bearing Docket No. BE420236S. The 
          Commissioner notes that the Administrator had reduced the tenant's 
          rent based on findings of no exterminator service being provided, 
          leaking bedroom radiator valve and inoperative bell and buzzer 
          system.  The owner stated in the application that exterminator 
          services are provided on a monthly basis but the tenant insists on 
          service on Saturdays only, that the building was built in 1936 and 
          never had a bell and buzzer system, and that the radiator was 
          replaced.  The tenant was served with a copy of the application and 
          afforded an opportunity to respond. 
           
               The Administrator ordered a physical inspection of the subject 
          apartment.  The inspection was conducted on November 14, 1988.  The 
          inspector reported that there was no bell and buzzer system in the 
          building.  The inspector also reported that the bedroom radiator 
          valve was repaired and that, while there was no evidence of 
          exterminator being provided in the building, a sign regarding 
          exterminator services was posted in the lobby.  The inspection also 
          noted that there were signs of infestation.













          DA410107RT

               The Administrator issued the order here under review on 
          December 22, 1988.  The application was granted in part to the 
          extent of ordering partial rent restoration of $6.00 per month with 
          the owner given leave to refile for the remaining $3.00 per month 
          when the bell and buzzer system was repaired.

               On appeal the tenant states, in sum, that exterminator 
          services have not been restored notwithstanding the posting of the 
          sign reported by the inspector.  The petition was served on the 
          owner on February 6, 1989. 

               The owner filed a response on February 26,1989 and stated that
          an exterminator service has been hired but that the tenant insisted 
          that exterminating be done only on Saturdays.  The owner states 
          that the exterminator will be available on the first Saturday of 
          each month.
           
               After careful review of the evidence in the record, the 
          Commissioner is of the opinion that the petition should be granted.

               The Commissioner is of the opinion that the posting of the 
          sign regarding the availability of exterminator service is not a 
          substitute for evidence that such service is actually being 
          provided in the building.  The inspector reported that there was no 
          evidence of exterminator services being provided in the building 
          other than the aforementioned sign and that there was evidence of 
          infestation.  The Administrator should not have granted rent 
          restoration regarding the exterminator based on the inspector's 
          report.  The Administrator's finding regarding the radiator valve 
          is affirmed.

               The Commissioner notes that the owner's reapplication for rent 
          restoration, which was assigned Docket No. GD420074OR, is pending 
          before the DHCR.  A copy of this order and opinion will be 
          forwarded to that file so that restoration of exterminator services 
          can be determined therein.

               THEREFORE, pursuant to the Rent and Eviction Regulations for 
          New York City it is 



















          DA410107RT

               ORDERED, that this petition be, and the same hereby is, 
          granted, and that the Rent Administrator's order be, and the same 
          hereby is, affirmed as modified herein to revoke the $4.00 rent 
          restoration for exterminator service.  

          ISSUED:



                                                                             
                                             JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                             Deputy Commissioner