Use DHCR’s Online Service for New IAI Reporting Requirements
The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019 requires owners to notify the DHCR of all individual apartment improvements (IAIs) and requires the DHCR to establish a “centralized electronic retention system” for tracking IAIs. Recently, the DHCR announced that on or about Feb. 3, 2020, the DHCR will release its new online service that will enable building owners to report information concerning IAIs for apartments subject to rent stabilization or rent control. The DHCR will also be releasing related revisions to Operational Bulletin 2016-1, Individual Apartment Improvements.
HSTPA requires the DHCR to develop a notification form for building owners to file with the DHCR for all IAIs made in vacant and occupied apartments. The filing of the notification form must be accompanied by “before and after” photographs of the subject improvements, which the DHCR will maintain in an electronic format. HSTPA also requires the DHCR to develop a Tenant Informed Consent Form, to be signed by tenants who consent to have an improvement made in their apartment, which owners must then file electronically with the DHCR. According to the DHCR, paper submissions of these forms won’t be accepted.
To file these forms, building owners will need to access the DHCR’s Owners Rent Regulation Application (ORRA) system on the DHCR website. Those owners who have never previously accessed ORRA will be required to email PSU@nyshcr.org to acquire a user ID and password. For the required information to include in the email, visit the ORRA webpage at https://hcr.ny.gov/owner-rent-regulation-applications-0.
The DHCR advises all owners who are planning on making IAIs in vacant or occupied units subject to rent stabilization or rent control to prepare in advance and begin taking before and after photographs, which must be filed electronically along with the forms described above. Note that the pictures required to process the IAIs are in addition to all other required proof, such as signed/dated contracts and proof of payment.