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Posted by brenda on May 19, 2000 at 12:33:38:

In Reply to: pay phone clarification as a provided service posted by Elinor on May 18, 2000 at 15:02:03:

: There is a pay phone in my lobby that many residents find convenient to use. I live in a cooperative building with rent-controlled and regulated apartments. Some shareholders want to remove the phone because "the doorman uses it" - I have confirmed with the phone company that the building (ie corportation and or landlord) has been paying the phone company to have the phone there since 1976. I believe this constitutes "providing" a service and that to remove it would thus be a reduction in a service. We would like to take action to see that the phone stays where it is. Recently an intercom phone has been installed that allows local calls but it is still tricky to use and is supposed to be for building business only. Is the removal of the pay phone a reduction in services?

You need to file a rent reduction case with the DHCR. This agency (notoriously pro-landlord and glacially slow) will determine if it is required service.
If you win, you get a rent freeze and rollback! I been there, done that--it takes a while, but if you can get it, it is nice.

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: : There is a pay phone in my lobby that many residents find convenient to use. I live in a cooperative building with rent-controlled and regulated apartments.  Some shareholders want to remove the phone because "the doorman uses it" - I have confirmed with the phone company that the building (ie corportation and or landlord) has been paying the phone company to have the phone there since 1976.  I believe this constitutes "providing" a service and that to remove it would thus be a reduction in a service.  We would like to take action to see that the phone stays where it is.  Recently an intercom phone has been installed that allows local calls but it is still tricky to use and is supposed to be for building business only.  Is the removal of the pay phone a reduction in services?

: You need to file a rent reduction case with the DHCR. This agency (notoriously pro-landlord and glacially slow) will determine if it is required service.
: If you win, you get a rent freeze and rollback! I been there, done that--it takes a while, but if you can get it, it is nice. 


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