Q & A

Calculating Rent of Former Super's Apartment

November 21, 2011    

Q My building's superintendent is leaving, and I'd like to rent out his apartment. How do I calculate the rent for an apartment that was temporarily exempt for two years and was rent stabilized on the base date?

Effects of Warranty of Habitability on Mortgage Foreclosures

February 22, 2011    

Q Since the financial crisis in 2008, it seems as though more and more owners are becoming unable to pay for repairs to their over-mortgaged buildings. These owners may be unable to borrow additional money to finance repairs because they have negative...

Including Cost of Removing Old Boiler in MCI Application

June 21, 2010    

I'm filing a major capital improvement (MCI) application with the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) to get a rent increase for a boiler replacement and hot water heater installation I just completed. The boiler...

Setting Security Deposit Amounts for Deregulated Apartments

April 21, 2010    

I have a recently deregulated apartment. Is there any DHCR policy or other sort of agency determination guiding how much additional security deposit an owner can charge a tenant for a deregulated apartment?

Notifying Tenant of Lease Violation

April 21, 2010    

Q I have a rent-stabilized tenant who installed a washing machine years ago. I just became aware of it when I was in her apartment for another reason. The tenant's original lease specifies that washing machines are not allowed. Can I officially ask...

Ask the DHCR: DirecTV; Expansion of Outer Walls

January 28, 2010    

> Permit Installation of DirecTV

If a tenant asks you for permission to install DirecTV, you may not deny the tenant the right to have the system installed, provided that all of the parties comply with the statutory requirements.

Evicting Tenants for Renting Out Rooms as a B&B

January 28, 2010    

Q I have a rent-stabilized building, and some of my tenants are are renting out their bedrooms to tourists. In effect, they are running a bed-and-breakfast business. What actions can I take to make them stop? Can I evict them?

Requiring Renter's Insurance for Rent-Stabilized Apartment

December 28, 2009    

Q Can an owner, as a condition of renting a rent-stabilized apartment, require a tenant to carry renter's insurance?

Informing Tenant Unsanitary Apartment Condition Is “Nuisance”

December 28, 2009    

Q A tenant on the ground floor of my building keeps complaining about mice. I have had an exterminator visit every month, and he will continue to visit. However, she is the only tenant who complains of rodents, and the exterminator has told me, and her...

Agreeing to Rent Temporarily and Forgo Renewal Lease

December 28, 2009    

Q There is a vacant rent-stabilized apartment in my building. I am considering renting it to a friend. The friend has agreed to give up the apartment when I want it back and is willing to sign a lease that says that the tenant agrees not to be entitled...

Performing Background Checks and Adding Nonspouse to Lease

December 28, 2009    

Q Is an owner violating the Rent Stabilization Code by doing a background check before adding someone to the lease agreement and/or before issuing keys? Also, is the owner allowed to charge a vacancy increase by adding someone to the lease other than...

Eliminate Risk of Abandoning Tenant Claiming Illegal Eviction

October 26, 2009    

Q One of my rent-stabilized tenants has been illegally subletting his apartment to someone for about five months. The tenant informed the subtenant that he was moving back to live in Algeria. When I found out about the situation, I gave the subtenant...