We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
Here are the highlights that owners of rent-regulated apartments need to be aware of.
On Oct. 23, the DHCR announced that it filed the necessary “Notices of Adoption” required by law to enact rent regulatory amendments to the Rent Stabilization Code, the Tenant Protection Regulations, and the New York State and City Rent Control Regulations. Originally proposed last August, the amendments now have been published in the NY State Register and became effective on Nov. 8.
But a recent law eliminates the $5 surcharge for tenant-installed A/C units.
The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) recently announced an increase in this year’s air-conditioner rent surcharge for owners who pay for electricity. In rent-controlled or rent-stabilized buildings where the rent includes the use of electricity, an owner may charge a surcharge for the use of electricity for each air conditioner that has been installed. The charge is to be reviewed on a yearly basis regardless of the length of the lease.
The city wants to limit how long these eyesores stay up.
Sidewalk sheds are temporary structures built to protect people or property from falling debris during construction work. Currently, according to the DOB, there are approximately 9,000 active, permitted construction sheds spanning more than 2 million linear feet, or nearly 400 miles, about 3 percent of the city’s sidewalk space.
Is your building likely to be one of the 300 buildings inspected annually?
Part of the legislation that was passed in response to the January 2022 Twin Parks high-rise fire in the Bronx required the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to propose rules relating to inspections of self-closing doors in multiple dwelling buildings.
On June 21, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) voted to raise rents on rent-stabilized apartments. In a 5 to 4 vote, the RGB adopted guidelines for Rent Guideline Board Order (RGBO) #55, which sets the rent increases you may take for rent-stabilized tenants in New York City on leases beginning anytime on or after Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024. According to RGBO #55, you may take a 3 percent increase on a one-year lease. And two-year leases get a 2.75 percent increase in year one and a 3.2 percent increase in year two.
From time to time, you may need to ask the DHCR for certain information or documents. For example, you may be defending against a reduced services complaint and want to see the DHCR inspection report, or you may want a printout of all cases currently pending at the DHCR for a building you’ve just bought. Or you may want to obtain copies of all prior MCI orders that relate to your building to check the age of equipment being replaced. If so, you can get this information or documentation by filing a records access request with the DHCR.