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Kitchen sink out of service - DHCR Reduced service?

NYC Rent Regulation: Rent Control/Rent Stabilized, DHCR Practice/Procedures

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Kitchen sink out of service - DHCR Reduced service?

Postby cheeseburger69 » Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:14 am

My kitchen sink has been unusable since March 1st. I am told it will be fixed "next week" though they have had people in and out to fix it who have been unsuccessful. While I wait for a resolution, I am wondering about the usefulness of filing an Application For A Rent Reduction Based Upon Decreased Services - Individual Apartment (DHCR Form RA-81).

Is it worth filing if they do in fact rectify the issue next week?
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Re: Kitchen sink out of service - DHCR Reduced service?

Postby TenantNet » Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:23 am

You can do that, but DHCR can take a long time. Do you want the sink fixed, or a rent reduction?
Consider how long it should take to get the sink fixed (a plumber's visit) and the LL's history of making - or not making - repairs.

Ask the LL for a specific appointment date/time and if only within one week, I would wait for that. You still have options:

- 311 complaint with HPD just to get it on record
- HP Action in Housing Court (likely to take a lot less time than DHCR)
- withhold rent until it's fixed.

If the LL takes you to court you can ask for an abatement for the time it was broken. And of course, document everything, photos showing the problem if possible, and all communication.
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Re: Kitchen sink out of service - DHCR Reduced service?

Postby cheeseburger69 » Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:45 am

Their communication has been poor enough that I may just go down the 311/HP Action road, and I'm not convinced I will have a firm date given today is Friday and we are approaching Passover.
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