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Posted by Jane on April 22, 2000 at 17:25:22:

In Reply to: Fraudulent renovation documentation 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

What you really need to do is to NOT miss the deadline for filing the PAR. You can always add information later, maybe even get an extension of time. If you did not point out the blantant 'same typewriter' to DHCR, do it in the PAR. Also: get two licensed contractors and or architects to inspect your aptartment and provide written notarized estimates of the costs of the work allegedly performed, including costs of materials. For good tenant lawyers, read the ads here. Search here also for 'fraud' 'DHCR' etc for earlier posts on those subjects. That DHCR is currently pro-landlord is not news.

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: : 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

: What you really need to do is to NOT miss the deadline for filing the PAR.  You can always add information later, maybe even get an extension of time.  If you did not point out the blantant 'same typewriter' to DHCR, do it in the PAR.  Also: get two licensed contractors and or architects to inspect your aptartment and provide written notarized estimates of the costs of the work allegedly performed, including costs of materials.  For good tenant lawyers, read the ads here.  Search here also for 'fraud' 'DHCR' etc for earlier posts on those subjects.  That DHCR is currently pro-landlord is not news.


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