*My roommate and I are currently subleasing an apartment that we pay $3100/month for. We moved in a month ago, in a few days. Since the beginning, I thought that maybe the unit was rent stabilized, because the building fit the criteria *(built before 1974, 12 units). I know it’s dependent on unit, so I asked my subleasor. They answered that they weren’t sure, but didn’t think so.
*Edited to include that it’s in Manhattan.
Recently, I started investigating again and requested its rental history from the DHCR.
Its history is much more comprehensive than a lot of others seem to be, so I was able to do a lot of digging.
Throughout its entire history, it had maintained RS-status. Seemingly, until now. From its initial registration in 1984, right up until 2021. Even after its period of “Reg. not found for subject premises” from 2007-2012, RS resumed once it was rented again in 2013.
For 2021, its exact presentation is as follows: “RS 11/09/2022, legal regulated rent 1,108.89, lease beginning and ending 04/01/2021 — 04/30/2022.” There is no record of what the preferential and actual paid rent was.
For 2022-2023, it says “Reg. not found…” My subleasor informed me that they haven’t been living there for about a year and a half now, so they’ve been subleasing since then. They presumably signed a two year lease because my sublease duration is from Sept. 1st — April 2024. It’s said in my sublease that the terms listed here are the ones listed in the original lease agreement.
I don’t fully understand how the tax benefits work, though I know my building probably doesn’t fall under 421-A because it was built in 1920, according to Streeteasy and whoownswhat. I may have missed it, but I couldn’t find the construction date in the DOB.
I also think J-51 applies to renovated apartments? If so, it also doesn’t apply here, because I believe “vac/lease imprvmnt” means it was renovated. This appears in 1998 and nowhere else in its history.
This would mean it was stabilized through other means, which I assume is just due to its age & size.
How was the unit deregulated? I’m not sure how deregulation works post-2019, only that on paper, it fits the qualifiers for rent stabilization as far as I can tell.
I have had no contact with the actual LL (or management company, not sure), only my subleasor.
It says nowhere in my sublease that it’s rent stabilized. My subleasor left some furniture so it was partially furnished, and I think I read subleasors can charge an extra 10% for that. However, I’m not certain on how that works.
Am I right to be suspicious, or is there something I’m missing and it’s been destabilized, and legally?