Docket Number: FA 210185-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.: FA 210185-RO 
                                              
          225 EASTERN PARKWAY ASSOCIATES/      DISTRICT RENT ADMINISTRATOR'S
          DAHLIA ALGAVA,                       DOCKET NO.: DJ 210051-S  

                           PETITIONER     
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           ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

        On January 22, 1991, the above-named owner filed a  timely  petition
        for administrative review of an order issued  on  January  3,  1991,
        concerning t e  housing  accommodations  relating  to   the   above-
        described docket number, known as 225 Eastern Parkway, Apartment No. 
        2F, Brooklyn, New York 11238.

        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.

        This proceeding was commenced on  October  2,  1989  by  the  tenant
        filing a complaint asserting that the  prior  owner  had  failed  to
        maintain services in the subject apartment.

        On October 16, 1989, a copy of the tenant's complaint was mailed  to
        the prior owner requesting an answer by November 11, 1989.

        In its answer filed on October 23, 1989, the  prior  owner  asserted
        that all required repairs had been or will be completed.

        On  July  30,  1990,  the  petitioner-owner  purchased  the  subject
        premises from the prior owner; and on August 13, 1990, same filed  a
        "Report of Change of Identity of Landlord" with DHCR.

        Thereafter on November  30,  1990,  an  inspection  of  the  subject
        apartment was conducted by a D.H.C.R. inspector  who  confirmed  the
        existence of defective conditions.

        Based on said inspection, the Administrator directed restoration  of
        these services and further ordered reduction of the stabilized rent.
        Said order issued on January 3, 1991  was  addressed  to  the  prior
        owner, and not to the present petitioner-owner.

        In  this  petition,  the  owner  states  in   substance   that   the
        Administrator erred (1)  in  allowing  a  complaint  not  personally
        signed by the tenant to go forward to  DHCR's  decision  of  a  rent
        reduction order, and (2) in its failure to serve the party named  in
        the "Change in Identity" form if such a form had been filed.

        After careful consideration, the Commissioner is of the opinion that 






          Docket Number: FA 210185-RO
         
        this petition should be denied.

        It is noted that the owner's contention of tenant  not  signing  the
        complaint is without basis in the  record.   The  tenant  personally
        signed its complaint.

        The owner's contention that the Administrator erred in  not  serving
        the petitioner-owner named in the duly filed  "Change  in  Identity"
        form does not preclude the  fact  that  the  owner  received  timely
        notice.  The petitioner-owner in  purchasing  the  subject  premises
        stands in the shoes of the prior owner who was duly notified of  the
        tenant's original complaint.  In addition, although no notices  were
        sent to the current owner after the filing of a change  of  identity
        forms, the current owner in fact filed a petition for administrative 
        review nineteen days  after  the  issuance  of  the  Administrator's
        order.  Obviously, the current owner received timely notice  of  the
        order appealed from,  which  is  based  on  the  inspection  finding
        decreased services in the subject apartment.

        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