Posted by Kate on April 22, 2000 at 16:25:22:
Does anyone know whether DHCR has ever investigated possibly forged renovation receipts, or looked into the relationship between a landlord and a contractor? Our landlord claimed an outrageous total for the renovations performed on our apt before we moved in (rent-stabilized, Manhattan), and it appears that the letters from the landlord and the "receipts" on the contractor's letterhead were typed on the same (rather distinctive) typewriter. In addition, the landlord and contractor were in the same building at the time of the renovations. These don't necessarily PROVE fraud or collusion, but to us, it looks pretty darn suspicious.
However, the DHCR, in its infinite wisdom, has taken the landlord's "receipts" and cancelled checks (which we suspect were from payment from something other than our apartment) at face value and denied our overcharge claim. I guess we're going to try to find a lawyer (anyone know a good one?), but does anyone know if we even have a shot here?
Ugh.
Thanks,
Kate
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