The State Division of Homes and Community Renewal has proposed significant changes to the Rent Stabilization Code, gutting the four year statute of limitations on rent overcharge complaints by creating multiple exceptions, including a random hunt for fraud. The Division also wants to eliminate the requirement for tenants to complain to owners about service problems first, before a formal DHCR complaint can be docketed. Apparently the current administration has forgotten the backlog of pointless tenant service complaints that burdened the agency and owners before the notice requirement was originally adopted. A hearing on the code amendments is scheduled June 10th.
RFPs for the redevelopment of the sites of two municipal facilities in the Bronx, one currently 48,000 sq. ft.. And one 78,000, were issued by the City Economic Development Corporation. Both the Oberia Dempsey and Hunts Point Multi-Service Center sites are zoned R-7.
The deadline for filing Local Law 84 Energy Benchmarking reports was postponed from May 1st to May 31st because the EPA Portfolio Manager website where the reports have to be filed was down at the deadline.
A Queens owner will have to pay $75,000 in compensatory damages and a $125,000 fine for refusing to provide handicapped access to a tenant’s apartment according to a State Supreme Court decision in Marine Holding v. NYCCHR. The case was dragged out for four years and included a recommendation in the owner’s favor by an administrative law judge who found both that installing the ramp was structurally infeasible and that the tenant had refused relocation. The Human Rights Commission then overruled the ALJ.
Builders and apartment renovators have until May 24th to file for rebates on stuff they have already bought under the manufacturers rebate program sponsored by the NYS Builders Association and ABO. ABO members who buy Delta Faucets or dozens of other common products and don’t file are leaving money on the table.
Space Wanted
ABO is looking for new office space and is willing to share. If you have space available for our three staff members, please give us a call…preferably in the Grand Central area but all possibilities are open. Thanks.
Save the Date: Next ABO Luncheon June 12th.
Invitations will be out soon.