We moved into our apartment in fall 2021. The building is six units and was built in the 1940s. Our rent is approx 2575. The lease listed it as preferential from approx 3025. There is mention of RS in the lease but no RS rider. We found the tenant right before us. They paid approx 2200 and were there for one year. We ordered our rent registration history. It lists RS rent of approx 1175 up until fall 2018 when the registrations stop. There are some improvements: bathroom and kitchen appear renovated. But old floors and windows.
Has our apartment been illegally deregulated?
If so, we want to figure out how to proceed. Spending 20k to pursue a civil court lawsuit would be very difficult. Filing a DHCR complaint is free but we are wary of DHCR. And if we file a DHCR complaint are we entitled to stay in the apt while it is being adjudicated? As for housing court, we would rather avoid since we don't want to get blacklisted.
Any advice on how to proceed would be very appreciated.