George E. Pataki, Governor                     Joseph H. Holland, Commissioner

                     A publication of New York State
                Division of Housing and Community Renewal
                      Office of Rent Administration


                       Fact Sheet #17 - Harassment
                             [Revised 1/96]

     Harassment by an owner is a course of action intended to force a tenant
out of his/her apartment or to cause a tenant to give up rights granted the
tenant by the Rent Stabilization Law or Rent Control Law.

     No owner or anyone acting for the owner may interfere with a tenant's
privacy, comfort, or quiet enjoyment of the tenant's apartment.  Interference
includes reducing services or engaging in baseless court proceedings.

     Harassment is a serious violation of a tenant's rights. The New York
State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) established the
Enforcement Unit specifically to handle harassment cases. The Unit is staffed
with attorneys who specialize in this area of the rent laws. They respond to
all complaints of harassment 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 or County Rent Office, or write to:

                         DHCR Enforcement Bureau
                           156 William Street
                           New York, NY 10038

     For more information or assistance, call the DHCR Rent InfoLine,
(718) 739-6400, or visit your Borough or County Rent Office.


Central
92-31 Union Hall Street
4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11433
(718) 739-6400

Brooklyn
250 Schermerhorn Street
3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Upper Manhattan
163 W. 125th Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10027
North side of 110th St. and above

Nassau County
50 Clinton Street
6th Floor
Hempstead, NY 11550

Westchester County
55 Church Street
White Plains, NY 10601

Lower Manhattan
156 William Street
9th Floor
New York, NY 10038
South side of 110th St. and below

Bronx
1 Fordham Plaza
2nd Floor
Bronx, NY 10458

Staten Island
60 Bay Street
7th Floor
Staten Island, NY 10301

Rockland County
94-96 North Main Street
Spring Valley, NY 10977