[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

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