ADM. REVIEW DOCKET NO.: EK420140RT


                                  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.: EK420140RT

                                                  DISTRICT RENT
                                                  ADMINISTRATOR'S DOCKET
                                                  NO.: DD420027BO
            CONSTANCE AND GLENN BARNES                 (7MD08390M)
                                   PETITIONER
          ------------------------------------X

            ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

               The above-named tenants filed a timely petition for 
          administrative review of an order issued concerning the housing 
          accommodations known as 200 West 90th Street, Apt. 2G, New York, 
          N.Y.

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

               The issue before the Commissioner is whether the 
          Administrator's order was correct.

               The Administrator's order being appealed, DD420027BO was 
          issued on October 5, 1990.  In that order, the Administrator 
          revoked the finding of 7MD08390M, issued April 21, 1989, that the 
          owner be denied eligibility for a 1986/87 Maximum Base Rent (MBR) 
          increase, due to the owner's failure to file an Affidavit of 
          Service (Affidavit) with the Administrator, said Affidavit being 
          evidence of the owner's service of the order of eligibility upon 
          the tenants affected by that order.  In revoking that order, the 
          Administrator found that the owner had served the Administrator 
          with the Affidavit.





















          ADM. REVIEW DOCKET NO.: EK420140RT

               On appeal, the tenants allege that the Administrator did not 
          have the authority to issue the order being appealed herein. The 
          tenants maintain that a prior order may be modified, superseded or 
          revoked (as in the instant proceeding) only when there is a finding 
          of fraud, illegality or irregularity in a vital manner.  Inasmuch 
          as there was no such finding in the instant proceeding the  
          Administrator was thus in error in revoking the order denying the 
          owner eligibility.  

               The tenants alternatively allege that the Affidavit submitted 
          by the owner on appeal is "dubious and its authenticity is 
          doubtful."  They thus request a "certified" copy of the order being 
          appealed herein.

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

               The tenants' contention re the Administrator's authority to 
          override previous orders is mistaken.  Any party to an MBR 
          proceeding may, subject to certain limitations Challenge the order 
          of eligibility (as in the instant proceeding).  The Commissioner is 
          of the opinion that if the tenants' argument on appeal was upheld 
          and that orders denying (or granting) eligibility were only 
          Challengeable upon an allegation of fraud, illegality, or 
          irregularity in a vital manner tenants, as well as owners would be 
          deprived of their right to answer assertions made by the adverse 
          party.

               The Commissioner is of the opinion that the tenants' 
          contentions  re the authenticity of the Affidavit are speculative, 
          and as such cannot be considered by the Commissioner on appeal.

               On appeal, after making specific allegations concerning the 
          credibility of the Affidavit, the tenants in the next paragraph of 
          their appeal state that "the...Order (emphasis added) may be a 
          forgery and the tenant hereby requests a certified copy of the 
          ...Order (emphasis added)."

               The Commissioner is puzzled by this request by the tenant to 
          verify the authenticity of the Administrator's order under review 
          herein immediately after the tenants' questioning of the 
          authenticity of the Affidavit.  The Commissioner advises the 
          tenants to file a FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request with 
          this Agency. Upon the granting of such request by the 
          Administrator, the tenants will be free to examine the entire file.

               THEREFORE, in accordance with the provisions of the Rent and 
          Eviction Regulations, it is


               ORDERED, that this petition for administrative review be, and 
          the same hereby is, denied, and that the order of the Rent 






          ADM. REVIEW DOCKET NO.: EK420140RT

          Administrator be, and the same hereby is, affirmed.

          ISSUED:




                                                                            
                                             JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                             Deputy Commissioner