Hello, I have done lots of research and read lots of posts but I am wondering if it would be possible to get an opinion on my situation.
I am living in an building built in 1930 with 30 units. I recently requested my rent history from the DHCR and found it was consistently filed as RS from 1984 to 2014 with consistent and fair looking rent increases being reported. The last filing was in 2014, where the legal regulated rent was $1375 with a preferential rent of $1250. I know it is not reliable, but the listing on StreetEasy says the place was rented for $2,291 in 2015.
As per the fact sheet here (https://tinyurl.com/yrznbtbh), the rent would have needed to be raised significantly (~+$1125) to pass the deregulation threshold. I found a work order from 2014 that reports "general construction to include new partition, replace existing plumbing with new."
The apartment has definitely been renovated. We have new kitchen cabinets and countertop, a cheap washing machine, cheap dishwasher. It's nice but the kitchen area is small. There is recessed lighting and the wiring seems new (the washing machine would require it). StreetEasy says the bathroom was recently renovated, but it looks like they just put in a new toilet and a cheap vanity. There have definitely been IAIs done, but if I am understanding correctly, at a limit of 1/40 the cost, the work would have had to total ~$45,000 and I am not sure if that is reasonable or not.
I know there has been at least one tenant that has been here since 2014, and possibly two. We still get their mail. When we moved in there was a letter from a collection agency in search of a few months of rent taped to the door looking for the last guy who lived here.
As someone barely scraping buy in NYC and struggling I am just trying to do my due diligence. Is it possible my place was legally deregulated, or if not how should I approach this situation? Thanks so much, appreciate any help or advice.