FC610085RT

                                  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.: FC610085RT
                                                  
          VERRENA CUNNINGHAM                      RENT
                                                  ADMINISTRATOR'S DOCKET 
                                                  NO.: DI630009OR
                                  PETITIONER            
          ----------------------------------x


            ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
                                          
               On March 4, 1991 the above named petitioner-tenant timely 
          refiled a Petition for Administrative Review against an order of 
          the Rent Administrator issued November 28, 1990. The order 
          concerned various housing accommodations located at 1936 East 
          Tremont Ave., Bronx, N.Y.  The Administrator granted the owner's 
          rent restoration application.  

               The Commissioner has reviewed the record and carefully 
          considered that portion relevant to the issues raised by this 
          appeal.

               The owner commenced this proceeding on April 17, 1989 by 
          filing a rent restoration application wherein it alleged that it 
          had restored services for which a rent reduction order bearing 
          Docket No BH610067B had been issued based on a finding that the 
          basement floor required cleaning.

               The tenants were served with a copy of the application and 
          afforded an opportunity to respond. The petitioner-tenant herein 
          filed a response on November 15, 1989 and stated, in sum, that the 
          owner had not restored services and that, therefore, the 
          application should be denied.
           
               The Administrator ordered a physical inspection of the subject 
          building.  The inspection was conducted on June 4, 1990.  The 
          building was reinspected on October 31, 1990. The inspections 
          revealed that the basement floor was clean.

               The Administrator issued the order here under review on 
          November 28, 1990 and granted the owner's application based on the 
          report of the inspector.













          FC610085RT

               On appeal the tenant states, in relevant part, that the owner 
          has failed to correct the conditions existing in the 
          stairwell/basement level area and that the owner had only partially 
          corrected the condition of the unclean basement floor.  The 
          petition was served on the owner on March 5, 1991.
               
               After careful review of the evidence in the record, the 
          Commissioner is of the opinion that the petition should be denied.
               
               The Commissioner notes that the rent reduction order bearing 
          Docket No. BH610067B cited only the unclean basement floor as the 
          condition to be corrected.  Therefore, the tenant's argument 
          regarding the issue of repairs to the basement /stairwell area is 
          irrelevant to the proceeding and must be rejected.

               With regard to the issue of the unclean basement floor, the 
          Commissioner notes that the physical inspections were carried out 
          by DHCR employees who are neither parties to the proceeding nor 
          adversaries.  Numerous prior decisions of the Commissioner have 
          held that the reports of DHCR inspectors are entitled to more 
          probative weight than the unsupported allegations of a party to the 
          proceeding.  The tenant has failed to rebut the above described 
          inspectors reports.  The order here under review is affirmed.

               THEREFORE, pursuant to the Rent Stabilization Law and Code and 
          Rent and Eviction Regulations it is 

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

          ISSUED:



                                                                             
                                             JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                             Deputy Commissioner
                                   
    

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