New York State
Division of Housing and Community Renewal
Office of Rent Administration
Gertz Plaza, 92-31 Union Hall St.
Jamaica, New York 11433
Public Information: (718)739-6400


POLICY STATEMENT 91-1

DEMOLITION COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH INDIVIDUAL APARTMENT IMPROVEMENTS

This policy statement is being issued to explain the instances
when an owner may recover the cost of removal or demolition
associated with an individual apartment improvement.

In accordance with Section 2522.4(a)(1)and (4) of the New York
City Rent Stabilization Code, an owner is entitled to a rent
increase when there has been a substantial increase of dwelling
space; an increase in the services provided by the owner;
improvements installed in the tenant's housing accommodation; or
new furniture or furnishings that are provided by the owner.  If
there is a tenant in residence when the improvements are made,
the written consent of the tenant is required.  Consent is not
required if the improvements are made while the housing unit is
vacant.  The allowable increase in the monthly stabilization rent
for these improvements is one fortieth (1/40th) of the total cost
including installation.

The cost associated with the removal or demolition of the item(s)
being replaced can be included in the calculation for determining
the allowable rent adjustment for an individual apartment
improvement only when this removal or demolition is necessary and
is performed contemporaneously with the completion of the work.

Any removal or demolition work performed by the owner or an
employee of the owner during the course of assigned duties (i.e.
removal of a refrigerator or rubbish) does not constitute an
expenditure that can be included in the calculation of the rent
adjustment for the individual apartment improvement.


January 23, 1991

Elliot G. Sander
Deputy Commissioner

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DHCR Policy Statements are **promulgated** (i.e., officially
issued) by the New York State Division of Housing and Community
Renewal (DHCR) and represent **official** policy of the agency.

The agency is generally obligated to follow the policy contained
in these and other documents or provide a rational for deviation;
failure to follow the law, policy or practice may form the basis
for an appeal. Electronic versions of the 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 is advised to obtain true copies of
these documents from DHCR. Also see DHCR Advisory Opinions,
DHCR Operational Bulletins, the Rent Stabilization Code, the Rent
Stabilization Law and various Rent Control Statutes.

Every attempt has been made to conform to the original Policy
Statements 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
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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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