DHCR Decisions                                  STATE OF NEW YORK                      DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL                            OFFICE OF RENT ADMINISTRATION                                     GERTZ PLAZA                               92-31 UNION HALL STREET                               JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11433          -----------------------------------X          IN THE MATTER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE      ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW          APPEAL OF                                DOCKET NO.:GA410325RT                                                                      Gus La Rocca,                            RENT ADMINISTRATOR'S                                                   DOCKET NO.:FA430085B                                                                                                               SUBJECT PREMISES:                                                      167 Hester St.                                                      New York, NY                                PETITIONER              -----------------------------------X                                                       ORDER AND OPINION DENYING PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW            The above-named tenant filed a timely petition for administrative            review of an order issued on December 23, 1991 concerning the            housing accommodations relating to the above-described docket            number.              The Commissioner has reviewed all the evidence in the record and has            carefully considered that portion of the record relevant to the            issues raised by the petition.            The tenant commenced this proceeding on January 18, 1991 by filing            a complaint asserting that the owner had failed to maintain certain            services in the building, which included in relevant part no            lighting in the hallways, unsafe propane gas stored in the building            vicinity, and rat and roach infestation throughout the building.            In answer, the owner denied the allegations and otherwise asserted            that all services were being provided and maintained. Attached to            the answer were photos of well-kept garbage cans, photos of            exterminating poison used against infestation, copies of an            affidavit from the building cleaner and copies of a receipt from an            exterminating company.            Thereafter, a physical inspection of the subject building was            conducted on June 7, 1991 by a DHCR staff member who reported in            relevant part no vermin infestation in public areas of the building,            no garbage accumulation in the garbage disposal area, and the            existence of sufficient lighting in the hallways. The inspector also            reported that the public hallways, floors, and steps had debris and            were dirty; that the public areas throughout needed mopping and            sweeping.            Another inspection was conducted on September 4, 1991. The inspector            again confirmed the existence of dirt and debris in the public            areas. There was no confirmation of the existence of other defective            conditions or any unsafe propane gas stored in the building              vicinity.            GA410325RT            By an order dated December 23, 1991, the Administrator directed the            restoration of services and ordered a reduction of the maximum legal            rent as follows:                 1) Building-wide janitorial services not maintained-   $5.00                 2) Superintendent services not maintained-             $3.00            In this petition, the tenant contends in substance that the order            failed to address the tenant's complaint concerning lighting in the            hallways, the safety of propane gas stored in the building vicinity            and the problem of rat and roach infestation.            On March 16, 1992, a copy of the petition was mailed to the owner.            After careful consideration, the Commissioner is of the opinion that            the petition should be denied.            Pursuant to Section 2202.16 of the Rent and Eviction Regulations,            the Administrator may impose a rent reduction when there has been a            decrease in services. The tenant's petition does not establish any            basis to modify or revoke the Administrator's determination based on            June 7, 1991 and September 4, 1991 inspections which confirmed the            existence of dirt and debris in the public areas, not the existence            of other defective conditions. Rather, the inspections found no            lighting problem in the hallways and no rat and roach infestation in            the building.            The Commissioner notes that the issue of the safety of propane gas            stored in the building vicinity is not within the realm of DHCR's            expertise, and the Administrator properly did not address the issue.              The tenant is advised to seek relief from those New York City            agencies having jurisdiciton thereof.            Accordingly, the order was in all respects proper and is hereby            sustained.            THEREFORE, in accordance with the Rent and Eviction Regulations and            Operational Bulletin 84-1, it is            ORDERED, that this petition be, and the same hereby is, denied, and            that the Administrator's order be, and the same hereby is, affirmed.            ISSUED:                                                                                                                            JOSEPH A. D'AGOSTA                                                  Deputy Commissioner