DF420231RT

                                  STATE OF NEW YORK
                      DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL
                            OFFICE OF RENT ADMINISTRATION
                                     GERTZ PLAZA
                               92-31 UNION HALL STREET
                                  JAMAICA, NY 11433





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          IN THE MATTER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE          ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
          APPEAL OF                                    DOCKET NO.: DF420231RT

                    Frank Gentilella,
                                                       RENT ADMINISTRATOR'S
                                                       DOCKET NO.: CJ420042OR
                                   PETITIONER
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          ORDER AND OPINION GRANTING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND
                REVOKING ADMINISTRATOR'S ORDER DOCKET NO. CJ420042OR


          On June 2, 1989, the above-named petitioner-tenant timely refiled 
          a petition for administrative review of an order issued on March 
          29, 1989 by the Rent Administrator, concerning the housing 
          accommodation known as 137 East 28 Street, Apt. 6A, New York, N.Y., 
          wherein the Administrator restored the rent in the amount of $3.00 
          per month for alleged repairs to the bathroom floor tile.

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

          This proceeding was commenced by the filing by the owner of an 
          application to restore rent dated October 10, 1988, alleging that 
          the owner had restored those services for which a rent reduction 
          order was issued on November 9, 1987, under Docket No. BD420618S.  
          The November 9, 1987 order reduced the rent for the following 
          conditions: bathroom tiles loose and in need of caulking - $3.00, 
          broken kitchen tiles - $3.00, apartment in need of plastering and 
          painting throughout - 10% M.L.R.

          Division records show that on December 30, 1987, the owner filed an 
          application to restore rent which was assigned Docket No. 
          CA420084OR.  In connection with that application, an inspection 
          conducted by a DHCR staff inspector determined that the kitchen 
          tiles had been repaired and the apartment had been painted in a 
          workmanlike manner.  However, the inspection disclosed that the 
          bathroom tiles on the shower wall and around the paper holder were 
          uneven, each area being approximately one square foot.












          DF420231RT

          This resulted in the issuance of the Administrator's order dated 
          July 20, 1988, restoring the rent for the two corrected conditions 
          and directing the owner to refile for the remaining $3.00 after 
          repairs are made to the bathroom tiles.  The order, however, 
          incorrectly refers to the bathroom tiles as floor tiles whereas the 
          underlying complaint and rent reduction order related to the wall 
          tiles (emphasis added).

          In this case, hereunder review, an inspection conducted by a DHCR 
          staff inspector on February 7, 1989, disclosed there is no problem 
          with the floor tiles, however, the wall tiles were found to be 
          uneven throughout the bathroom.  Nevertheless, by order dated March 
          29, 1989 under Docket No. CJ420042OR, the Administrator restored 
          the remaining $3.00 on the basis that the bathroom floor tiles had 
          been repaired.

          In the PAR, the tenant states, in relevant part, that the floor 
          tiles were not the subject of a complaint and that no repairs to 
          the bathroom wall tiles have been made.  A copy of the tenant's PAR 
          was served on the owner who responded on September 13, 1989.  The 
          owner requested that, in light of the results of the DHCR 
          inspection of February 7, 1988, the order restoring the rent remain 
          effective.

          After careful consideration, the Commissioner is of the opinion 
          that the petition should be granted.

          A transcription error in the processing of the prior rent 
          restoration application resulted in the directive in that order 
          regarding the bathroom floor tiles.  It was error for the 
          Administrator to restore the rent for this condition when it was 
          not a basis for the original rent reduction.  The report of 
          inspection of February 7, 1989 clearly states that the wall tile 
          condition still existed at that date.

          THEREFORE, in accordance with the City Rent Law, and the Rent and 
          Eviction Regulations, it is

          ORDERED, that this petition be, and the same hereby is, granted, 
          and that the Rent Administrator's order (Docket No. CJ420042OR) be, 
          and the same hereby is, revoked.  The $3.00 per month rent 
          reduction for this condition is reinstated, effective the first 
          rent payment following November 9, 1987.  A subsequent proceeding 
          resulted in a finding that a rent reduction for defective bathroom 
          wall tiles should be restored effective July 7, 1993 (Docket No. 
          HH420064RO).

          ISSUED:                                                    
                                             JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                             Deputy Commissioner