DHCR Decisions                                  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.:                                                  FE620230RO                                                      2860 Decatur Ave. Corp.,                RENT ADMINISTRATOR'S                                                  DOCKET NO.:                                                  FA620235S                                                  PREMISES: Apt. 5                                                  2860 Decatur Ave.                              PETITIONER          Bronx, NY          ----------------------------------x            ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW          The above-named owner filed a timely petition for administrative          review against an order issued by the Rent Administrator reducing          the rent and directing restoration of services based on a finding          of failure to maintain services.          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 tenant commenced this proceeding on January 4, 1991 by filing          a complaint aserting that the owner had failed to maintain certain          services in the subject apartment.          In an answer filed on February 12, 1991, the owner asserted in          substance that repairs were complated.          Thereafter, a physical inspection of the subject apartment was          conducted on April 10, 1991 by a DHCR staff member who confirmed          the existence of defective conditions.          By an order dated April 23, 1991, the Administrator directed the          restoration of services and ordered a rent reduction.          In the petition for administrative review, the owner contends in          substance that all items complained of by the tenant were corrected          and the rent reduction is not warranted.          In answer, the tenant basically denied the allegations in the          petition by submitting photos of the defective conditions.          FE620230RO          After careful consideration, the Commissioner is of the opinion          that the petition should be denied.          Pursuant to Section 2202.16 of the Rent and Eviction Regulations,          the Administrator may impose a rent reduction when there has been          a decrease in services. The owner's petition does not establish any          basis to modify or revoke the Administrator's order based on the          April 10, 1991 inspection which determined that the owner was not          maintaining services, warranting a rent reduction. The Commissioner          notes that the owner's undertaking to repair is an independent duty          which must be performed in a complete and effective manner.          The rent will be restored only when an owner's application to          restore rent is filed and granted. The owner is advised to file          such an application if the facts so warrant.          THEREFORE, in accordance with the Rent and Eviction Regulations and          Operational Bulletin 84-1,  it is          ORDERED, that this petition be, and the same hereby is, denied and          that the Administrator's order be, and the same hereby is,          affirmed.          ISSUED:                                                                                                                                                                  JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA                                                  Deputy Commissioner