Hello!
Trying to decide whether to go the DHCR route or Civil Court route. I had a hunch my apartment was rent stabilized and it turns out it is. The previous tenant lived there at least since 1984, and I moved in 2017.
The previous tenant paid a legal rent of around $500. My lease is for over 4 times that (but not above the rent stabilization cut off). I'm assuming the landlords decided they can make a quick buck in a gentrifying neighborhood.
Some details:
-not given a rent stabilized lease initially
-landlord hasn't registered apartment in 2017 or 2018 according to DHCR history from earlier this year
-told renovations were done, but don't have any proof of it. Would need to be ~ $60,000 to reach our current rent, which I'm skeptical of.
-lease renewal (sent 4 months after lease ended) indicates that the apartment is rent stabilized and has the appropriate percentage increases
-haven't reached out to the landlord and not planning to. Continuing to pay requested rent. Don't get rent receipts, but I have copies from my bank checks.
I am still within the 60 day window to send back the lease renewal, and haven't done so yet though I am planning on staying in the apartment. I haven't consulted an attorney yet (other than Brooklyn housing court help center) because I'm worried about the cost. Any guidance about the process and experience would be helpful. Thanks!