replacing broken kitchen appliances ? rent stabilized

[mingdurga]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New York ( nyc )

Sent certified request to landlord requesting used replacement and waited 3 weeks before filing for rent reduction with DHCR. Week later received a rent registration form indicating a rent increase for new appliances. Landlord resorted to usual claims that I am not granting access to deliver new appliances. Also keep harmless snakes in apt. for over 30 years. In plain view with no complaints from super or repair men. Now the landlord is stating that these men have issues for their safety when entering my apt. All this from his law firm. I am rent stabilized with scrie so I know he would like me out of here so he can double rent. I believe Court is my next stop because I won't accept new appliances with rent increase. The law states he must give me used appliances before offering new ones. Most of the apts here have been turned over when rent regulated apts. become available. What options are left for me?

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

It appears to filing an HP action in Housing Court.

 

[tranquility]

Praise be I, and my clients, are not in a place where this could be an issue. I have no idea of the law here, but,giggle a bit I have nothing to do with it. Why is anyone a LL in NY?

 

[BL]

Hopefully Youareguilty will stop by and chime in.

I'm not familiar with NYC rent stabilization and the laws and agencies associated with it.

Outside of that a LL can send notice of increase rent on month to month tenants in NY upon 30 days notice.

Seems like retaliation here.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Interestingly, and for a pleasant surprise, our OP tenant is spot on regarding the law (well, I suppose they are more rules than law, but whatever). I have seen LL's do all sorts of shady things to try to get DHCR's approval for a rent increase (like offering used appliances - that they know don't actually work, then claim the only other option is new ones).

The problem is this type of case comes down to proof. If the LL can convince a judge that the tenant is being recalcitrant, then there is little one can do.

I am hesitant to suggest a course of action to our tenant, but there are some potential (free) options to choose from:

Direct complaint to DHCR: http://www.nyshcr.org/AboutUs/contact.htm#ora

City civil rights complaint: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cchr/html/complaint/filing-complaint.shtml

State civil rights complaint: http://www.dhr.ny.gov/how-file-complaint

Federal civil rights complaint: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination

HP action: http://www.nycourts.gov/COURTS/nyc/housing/startinghp.shtml

Free Law Clinic (Mondays): http://www.nycourts.gov/COURTS/nyc/housing/legalassistance.shtml#consultations

Free attorney consults: http://www.nycourts.gov/COURTS/nyc/housing/vlpselfrep.shtml#meet

Housing Help Centers (free walk-in help): http://www.nycourts.gov/COURTS/nyc/housing/resourcecenter.shtml#hours

Of course, there are others, but this should at least get you started.