GG 410121 RT

                                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. GG 410121 RT

                                          :  DISTRICT RENT OFFICE
           Frank Arcuri,                     DOCKET NO. FF 410374 R
                                            
                                             OWNER: 71 Street Studios, Inc.  

                            PETITIONER    : 
      ------------------------------------X                             

           ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW


      On July 9, 1992, the above-named tenant filed a Petition for 
      Administrative Review against an order issued on June 26, 1992, by a 
      Rent Administrator, concerning the housing accommodations known as      
      31 West 71st Street, New York, New York, Apartment No. 803, wherein the 
      Administrator determined that no refund (for rental overcharges) was due 
      from the owner to the tenant.

      This proceeding originated with the tenant's 1991 overcharge complaint, 
      the basis of which was that the owner's agent had commingled the 
      tenant's security deposit with her own funds, thus collecting an 
      overcharge subject to treble damages. 

      In answer to the tenant's complaint, the owner stated that it had 
      refunded the tenant's entire security deposit plus interest.  In 
      response the tenant stated that he had received the interest on the 
      security deposit but didn't want the security back because he wanted to 
      receive interest every year.

      The ensuing aforementioned Administrator's order, here appealed, stated 
      that there had been no overcharge because the tenant had at all times 
      paid the same rent as the "initial legal registered rent" for the 
      apartment.  

      In this petition, the tenant states in pertinent part that treble 
      damages are warranted because of the aforementioned commingling.  It 
      further states: "(2) My apartment wasn't registered in 1984, 1985 and 
      1987. I never receive[d] a copy [of the registration statement] 
      annually.  (3) No leases -- so owner can't increase rent.  (4) No stove 
      as indicated on original registration."

      The Commissioner, having carefully considered the record herein, is of 
      the opinion that this petition should be denied.



      The record in this case discloses that the owner returned the tenant's 
      security deposits and interest to the tenant at the time the owner 







          GG 410121 RT

      answered the tenant's original complaint.  Further, although the owner 
      did not properly register the subject apartment, the record shows that 
      the owner never charged more rent than the rent charged the tenant in 
      1983 when the tenant first moved to the subject apartment.  Accordingly, 
      there was no rent overcharge.

      With regard to any stove problem, the tenant must file a separate 
      complaint of a service decrease 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 Rent Administrator's order be, and the same hereby is, affirmed.


      ISSUED:



                                                                    
                                      JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA
                                      Acting Deputy Commissioner