ADM. REVIEW DOCKET NO.: EL810148RO

                                 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.: EL810148RO

                                                  DISTRICT RENT
                                                  ADMINISTRATOR'S DOCKET
                                                  NO.: WY86S194R/WY86S96RV
            D. S. SHKRELI
                                   PETITIONER
          ------------------------------------X

            ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

               On December 6, 1990, the above-named petitioner-owner timely 
          filed a Petition for Administrative Review of an order issued on 
          November 1, 1990, by the District Rent Administrator, 55 Church 
          Street, White Plains, New York, concerning the housing 
          accommodations known as 485 Bronx River Road, apartment A-30, 
          Yonkers, New York.

               The issue in this proceeding is whether the District Rent 
          Administrator's order was warranted.

               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 on July 23, 1986 by the tenant's 
          filing of a rent overcharge complaint.

               On November 1, 1990 the District Rent Administrator issued 
          order number WY86S194R/WY86S96RV finding that an overcharge had 
          occurred.  The finding was based on the owner's failure to register 
          the subject apartment for the years 1984 through 1990.  In 
          addition, the Administrator found the owner had failed to submit a 
          prior lease.  Therefore, the Administrator established the rent 
          using that of a comparable apartment.

               On appeal the owner states, in substance, that the Rent 
          Administrator established the sum of $415.02 as the initial 
          rent for the subject apartment "without affording the petitioner an 
          opportunity to be heard."  Accordingly, the owner contends "the 
          determination was made without regard to procedural due process."














          ADM. APPEAL DOCKET NUMBER: EL810148RO

               In response to this petition, the tenant stated that treble 
          damages should have been imposed.

               After careful consideration of the entire evidence of record, 
          the Commissioner is of the opinion that the appeal should be 
          denied.

               A review of the record reveals that the owner was served with 
          the tenant's complaint and responded to same.  In particular, the 
          owner submitted a copy of the requested lease prior to the owner's 
          proprietary lease.  The rent of the prior lease was lower than the 
          rent used in calculating the rent overcharge.  Specifically, the 
          lease in effect prior to the proprietary lease had a rent of 
          $401.67 which was paid by the petitioner for the months of December 
          1983 and January 1984.  The guidelines increase for October 1, 1983 
          through September 30, 1984 was 0%.  Accordingly, the owner was not 
          prejudiced by the Administrator's failure to consider the prior 
          lease.

               It is undisputed that the subject apartment was never 
          registered.

               The owner contends that a determination was made without 
          affording the petitioner an opportunity to be heard and to confront 
          the witnesses presenting evidence against him.  Section 2507.5 of 
          the Tenant Protection Regulations states, in part:  "At any stage 
          of a proceeding the Division may...grant or order a hearing."  
          Thus, the granting of a hearing is discretional.  The Commissioner 
          hereby finds that that discretion was not abused in this 
          proceeding.  Furthermore, the Commissioner notes that there were no 
          witnesses. 

               Finally, the Commissioner notes that the tenant's request for 
          treble damages could only have been raised in a timely petition for 
          administrative review.  Accordingly, it is beyond the scope of 
          review.

               THEREFORE, in accordance with the Tenant Protection 
          Regulations and the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, it is 











               ORDERED, that this petition be, and the same hereby is denied, 
          and the District Rent Administrator's order be, and the same hereby 






          ADM. APPEAL DOCKET NUMBER: EL810148RO

          is affirmed.

          ISSUED:



                                                                          
                                             JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                             Deputy Commissioner 



                 

               






    

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