How to Amend Annual Registrations

Rent-stabilized apartments must be registered annually. Annual registrations are accepted starting April 1 of the registration year and must be submitted no later than July 31 of the registration year. If an error is made on the annual rent registration or if any pertinent information changes, an owner or manager should file an amended rent registration for that apartment.

In January 2014, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) issued new processing directives related to amended rent registrations. The Rent Code Amendments of 2014 provide that an owner seeking to file an amended registration for other than the present registration year must seek an order from the DHCR by filing an Administrative Determination unless the amendment has been already directed by the DHCR or another government agency that supervises the housing accommodation.

Annual Rent Registration Amendment Procedure

Only building owners and managing agents can submit amendments. The process for filing amendments to previously submitted annual rent registration information is as follows:

• Either photocopy the original building/apartment form manually submitted to the DHCR or reprint the forms submitted through Annual Rent Registration Online (ARRO). If you don’t have a copy of the original form, you can contact either RentInfo@nyshcr.org, PSU@nyshcr.org, or call Rent Info at (718) 739-6400. A blank form will be provided for reproduction. Amendments to annual rent registration submissions must be completed using the annual building and/or apartment registration forms for the year being amended.
• The word “AMENDMENT” must be written on top of both the building and apartment forms.
• Make the necessary changes directly on the form.
• Include a signed and notarized RR-2S form or the building summary submitted through the ARRO system.
• Return the forms to the address listed on the form.
• Supply a copy of the amended apartment form to the tenant(s).

Current-Year Annual Registration

The DHCR will accept amended annual registrations through March 31, which is the last day before the next registration year starts. After March 31, the DHCR will reject submitted amended annual registrations for the now prior year unless accompanied by an order/directive from the DHCR or another government agency that supervises the housing accommodation. A copy of the amended registration form must be given to the tenant currently occupying the apartment.

Prior-Year Annual Registration

The DHCR will reject at all times amended annual registrations for prior years, unless accompanied by an order/directive from the DHCR or another government agency that supervises the housing accommodation. A copy of the amended registration form must be given to the tenant currently occupying the apartment.

Late Annual Registration

The DHCR will accept late annual registrations (first submission as opposed to an amended filing) submitted for years prior to the one in effect. However, amendments to these late registrations will be rejected at all times, unless accompanied by an order/directive from the DHCR or another government agency that supervises the housing accommodation. A copy of the amended registration form must be given to the tenant currently occupying the apartment.

Initial Registration

Submissions of either amended initial registrations or “new” initial registrations to replace a previous initial registration will be rejected by the DHCR at all times, unless accompanied by an order/directive from the DHCR or another government agency that supervises the housing accommodation. A copy of the amended registration form must be given to the tenant currently occupying the apartment.

Owner’s Right to Challenge Rejection

Owners have the right to challenge the rejection of a registration filing and can seek formal review of the matter by submitting a written request for the DHCR to file an Administrative Determination, pursuant to Rent Stabilization Code Section 2522.6.

Owners who file an Administrative Determination with the DHCR may resubmit the amended registration with proof of the Administrative Determination filing, and the registration will be accepted on an interim basis. The permanent acceptance or rejection will depend on the outcome of the Administrative Determination.

In order to receive a formal determination, it will be necessary for the owner to request in writing that the DHCR open an “Administrative Determination” case. Such a proceeding may be initiated where the rent or other facts are in dispute, in doubt, or not known, or where the rent must be fixed or established. The DHCR Processing Services Unit requires that you highlight or underline this request in the opening paragraph of your letter and address it to the attention of: Director, Multi-Service Unit, Property Management Bureau, 92-31 Union Hall St., Jamaica, NY 11433.

The letter should also be signed and notarized, as it will serve as an affidavit. Your letter also should be as detailed as possible and include the following information:

• The full name(s) of person(s) making the request.
• The full address of the premise in question, including apartment number(s).
• The owner’s/tenant’s full name and address.
• The rental history of the unit(s) in question, if available.
• A copy of the initial lease/rental agreement, if available.
• Supporting evidence to prove the points as indicated in the correspondence being submitted.
• If applicable, an order from the DHCR or another government agency that supervises the housing accommodation that requires an amended registration filing.