Docket Number: FD-220162-RO
                                 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.:  FD  220162-RO
                
             JONATHAN LEVIN c/o             :  
             KINGSWOOD MANAGEMENT CORP.,       DISTRICT RENT ADMINISTRATOR'S
                                               DOCKET   NO.:   DL   220246-S
                              PETITIONER    : 
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           ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

        On April 11, 1991, the above-named owner filed a timely petition for 
        administrative  review  of  an  order  issued  on  March  26,  1991,
        concerning t e  housing  accommodations  relating  to   the   above-
        described docket number.  

        This administrative appeal  is  being  determined  pursuant  to  the
        provisions of 2520.6(r) and 2523.4 of the Rent Stabilization Code.

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

        On December 5, 1989, the tenant commenced this proceeding by  filing
        a complaint asserting that the owner had failed to maintain  certain
        services in the subject apartment.

        In its answer filed on January 25, 1990, the owner asserted that all 
        required repairs would be completed.

        Thereafter on March 5, 1991, an inspection of the subject  apartment
        was conducted by a D.H.C.R. inspector who confirmed the existence of 
        defective conditions.

        On March 26, 1991, the Administrator directed restoration  of  these
        services and further ordered a reduction of the stabilization rent.

        In this petition, the owner states in substance that it should  have
        been "served with a 'Request  for  Additional  Information/Evidence'
        prior to the reduction order being granted."

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

        Receipt of the tenant's complaint is sufficient notice to the owner. 
        The owner acknowledged receipt of the tenant's complaint  by  filing
        an answer in the proceeding below.  Moreover, the owner had  fifteen
        months from  service  of  the  tenant's  complaint  to  the  order's
        issuance to investigate and to make repairs if  necessary,  but  the
        owner failed to do so. 

        Accordingly, the Commissioner finds that the Administrator  properly






          Docket Number: FD-220162-RO
        based its determination on the entire record, including the  results
        of the inspection conducted on March 5, 1991 and  that  pursuant  to
        Section 2523.4(a) of the Code, the  owner  had  failed  to  maintain
        services, warranting rent reduction.

        This Order and Opinion is issued without prejudice  to  the  owner's
        right to file the appropriate application for  restoration  of  rent
        based upon the restoration of services, if the facts so warrant.

        THEREFORE, in accordance with the Rent Stabilization Law  and  Code,
        it is

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

        ISSUED:




                                                                      
                                        ELLIOT SANDER
                                        Deputy Commissioner