George E. Pataki, Governor         Joseph H. Holland, Commissioner

                   A publication of New York State    
               Division of Housing and Community Renewal 
                      Office of Rent Administration

     Fact Sheet #12 - Rent Increases for New Services, New Equipment
                     or Improvements to an Apartment
                             [Revised 1/96]
   
    A building owner may raise the rent in an individual apartment based on
increased services, new equipment, or improvements. This increase is in
addition to the regular annual Rent Guidelines Board increases for rent
stabilized apartments, and Maximum Base Rent increases for rent controlled
apartments.

    If an owner adds new services, improvements, or new equipment to an occupied
rent stabilized or rent controlled apartment, the owner must get the tenant s
written consent to pay the increase. The owner may charge the tenant a rent
increase equal to 1/40th of the cost of the new equipment, including
installation costs, but not finance charges. An order from DHCR is not
required before the owner may collect this type of rent increase.  However,
for rent controlled housing accommodations before an owner may collect this
increase, the owner must file an "Owner's Notice of a Rent Increase Based on
Increased Services/New Furnishings/Equipment/Painting; and Tenant's Statement
of Consent" (DHCR Form RN-79b) with DHCR.

    If any apartment is vacant, the owner does not have to get either prior
approval by DHCR or written consent of a tenant to collect the 1/40th
increase.

    The owner should keep all bills for improved services, new equipment, or
improvements to prove their cost in the event a tenant challenges the rent
increase.

    For more information or assistance, call the DHCR Rent InfoLine (718) 739-
6400, or visit your Borough or County Rent Office.
                 
Central
92-31 Union Hall Street
4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11433
(718) 739-6400

Brooklyn
250 Schermerhorn Street
3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Upper Manhattan
163 W. 125th Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10027
North side of 110th St. and above

Nassau County
50 Clinton Street
6th Floor
Hempstead, NY 11550  

Westchester County
55 Church Street
White Plains, NY 10601 

Lower Manhattan
156 William Street
9th Floor
New York, NY 10038
South side of 110th St. and below

Bronx
1 Fordham Plaza
2nd Floor
Bronx, NY 10458

Staten Island
60 Bay Street
7th Floor
Staten Island, NY 10301 

Rockland County
94-96 North Main Street
Spring Valley, NY 10977