[Note: it is the opinion of many tenant leaders that the DHCR Enforcement Bureau (harassment) is completely ineffectual, that tenants often receive little or no relief from DHCR in response to a complaint of landlord harassment. Tenants are advised to consider strategies in addition to or instead of filing DHCR Harassment complaints.] ------------------------------------------------------------ DHCR FACT SHEET #17 Division of Housing and Community Renewal HARASSMENT Harassment by an owner is a course of action intended to drive a tenant out of their apartment or to give up rights granted them by the Rent Stabilization Law or Rent Control Law. No owner, nor anyone acting for the owner, may interfere with the tenant's privacy, comfort, or quiet enjoyment of the apartment. Interference includes reducing services or engaging in baseless court proceedings. Harassment is a serious violation of a tenant's rights. NY State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) established the Enforcement Bureau specifically to handle harassment cases. The Bureau is staffed with attorneys who specialize in this area of the rent laws. They respond to all housing complaints made within New York State related to rent regulated housing. Owners found guilty of tenant harassment are subject to fines of up to $1,000 for each violation against a rent controlled tenant and up to $2,500 for each violation against a rent stabilized tenant. In addition, DHCR will permit no rent increases once there has been a finding of harassment until there is a finding that the harassment has ended. If you think you are a victim of harassment, you may obtain a TENANT STATEMENT OF COMPLAINT(S) - HARASSMENT [DHCR Form RA-60H], from your Borough Rent Office, or write to: DHCR Enforcement Bureau 156 William Street New York, NY 10036. ------------------------------------------------------------ DHCR Fact Sheets (series of thirty) are issued by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) as plain- english informational publications. For official agency policies, see DHCR Policy Statements, Advisory Opinions and Operational Bulletins. Also refer to the Rent Stabilization Code, the Rent Stabilization Law and various Rent Control Statutes. Electronic versions of these documents on TenantNet are for informational purposes only and there is no guarantee they will be accepted by any court (or even DHCR) as true copies of DHCR policy. The reader may obtain true copies of these documents from DHCR. Every attempt has been made to conform to the original Fact Sheets as issued by DHCR; TenantNet makes no representation the enclosed material is current or will be applied as written. The reader is advised that DHCR often fails to properly apply, interpret or enforce housing laws. Since housing laws are complex and often contradictory, it is recommended the reader obtain competent legal advice from a tenant attorney or counseling from a tenant association or community group. (rev. 3/13/96) DHCR documents are public documents; the electronic version of such documents have been developed by TenantNet and any added value, enhancements and/or proprietary features are copyright 1994, 1995 and 1996 by TenantNet. These documents may be freely distributed provided they remain intact as herein presented, including this and the top informational banner referencing TenantNet as the original provider. ------------------------------------------------------------ For more information or assistance, call the DHCR Rent Infoline at (718) 739-6400, or visit your Borough Rent Office. Queens Central Office 92-31 Union Hall St. 4th Fl. Jamaica, NY 11433 (718) 739-6400 Bronx One Fordham Plaza Bronx, NY 10458 (718) 563-5678 Brooklyn 250 Schermerhorn St. 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 780-9246 Lower Manhattan 156 William Street 9th Floor NY, NY 10038 (212) 240-6011, 6012 South side of 110th St. and below Upper Manhattan 163 W. 125th St. 5th Floor NY, NY 10027 (212) 961-8930 North side of 110th St. and above Staten Island 350 St. Mark's Place Room 105 Staten island, NY 10301 (718) 816-0277 Nassau County District Rent Office 50 Clinton Street, 6th Floor Hempstead, NY 11550 (516) 481-9494 Westchester County District Rent Office 55 Church Street, 3rd Floor White Plains, NY 10601 (914) 948-4434 Rockland County District Rent Office 94-96 North Main St. Spring Valley, NY 10977 (914) 425-6575 Albany Regional Office 119 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12210 (518) 432-0596 Buffalo Regional Office Ellicot Square Building 295 Main St., Room 438 Buffalo, NY 14203 (716) 856-1382 ------------------------------------------------------------