An Introduction to Division of Housing and Community Renewal in New York City (DHCR)

An Introduction to Division of Housing and Community Renewal in NYC (DHCR)

An introduction to NYC Division of Housing and Community Renewal --what apartments it controls and how its rules and regulations affect property owners. Comments on the Rent Guidelines Board and Housing Court. How Landlords can legally evict tenants or charge them with a false continuity of tenancy

Rental rates: market, rent stabilization, and rent control.

NYC has three tiers of rent: market rates, which are dictated by the market and are normally not subject to any control by city or state agencies. Rent control reverts back to rates which began with a 1947 tenancy, and are permitted to those who leased them or who have immediate family with continuity of tenancy. Rent stabilization is the next tier up and depends on location. When tenants vacate these apartment many of them ascend up to market rates, meaning the building will have mixed rates. The NYC DHCR controls rent control and stabilized apartments and mixed use buildings. It has no control over apartment buildings where are all rentals are at 100% market rates.

NYC Rent Guidelines Board

This Board rules on percentage of rent increases for rent-control and stabilization apartments. This board hears comments from tenants and landlords when increases are being considered. The DHCR then enforces the rent increments. Landlords who go over these guidelines or try to force out tenants in controlled and/stablized apartments in order to rent at market value are subject to fines and sanctions, or rent roll backs.

Services and Harassment

DHCR also monitors that appropriate services are being provided to tenants in controlled and stabilized apartments (water, electricity, heat). DHCR insures that fire safety and building security are proper. Or monitors if tenants are not being harassed soley because they live in controlled or stabilized apartments.

Capital and Individual Apartment Improvements

When capital improvements are made to the entire building (new roof, new heating system) or to an individual apartment (such as ceiling repair) the DHCR may permit increments in rent to reflect the value and cost of these improvements.

Evictions

DHCR also monitors evictions of tenants in controlled or stabilized apartments to insure that these evictions are based on non payment of rent and/or violations of reasonable rules and regulations. Often an apartment where the tenant has been evicted reverts to a market rate vacancy.