 Archive
Previous Front Page Stories: 2010 [2009-2007] [2006 and earlier]
Meeting Notes from General Tenants Meeting Wed., Apr 28, 2010
Presentaton/Discussion: Why IPN Should Have Been Rent Stabilized
Beginning on June 29, 2004
[Download Special Announcement] [Download DHCR Letter]
Special Announcement March 9, 2010
DHCR PASSES THE BUCK
On Monday, March 8, 2010, IPNTA’s attorney, Seth Miller received DHCR’s “Determination Pursuant to Court Request.” DHCR is the New York State agency that administers the Rent Stabilization Law.
The judge in the IPN J-51 litigation asked DHCR to consider IPN’s rent stabilization status. J-51 is a tax benefit given to landlords who perform certain repairs or improvements; buildings receiving the benefit must be rent-regulated. Until June, 2004 IPN was “rent regulated” as a Mitchell Lama development.
IPN’s landlord received the J-51 tax benefit until 2006 when it was “retroactively terminated” by HPD, the New York City agency that administers the J-51 tax benefit program. (Note: We still adamantly challenge the legality of “retroactive termination.”) Read DHCR’s letter
What did DHCR do?
- Sidestepped the issues and deferred to HPD despite the judge’s clear indication that HPD’s action was questionable.
- Concluded that IPN is not subject to rent stabilization because the HPD’s “retroactive termination” meant there wasn’t any J-51 benefit after IPN left the Mitchell-Lama program.
What Does This Mean?
The ball is back in the judge’s court. Now the judge must decide :
What Happens Next?
We await the judge’s decision and prepare for an appeal – whichever side wins.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Join the IPNTA and Contribute to the IPNTA Legal Fund NOW
IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL PLAINTIFFS INVOLVED IN LITIGATION: If you are represented by Seth Miller, he will contact you shortly. If you are represented by someone else, contact your lawyer immediately. If you are not a plaintiff in a lawsuit and have questions about this litigation please drop a note into the IPNTA lobby box or send an e-mail to: info@ipnta.org
News Coverage:
State Agency Rules Against IPN Tenants in Rent Stabilization Suit, Tribeca Trib, By Matt Dunning, March 15, 2010
[Article Updated Mar 15, 2010: "Editor's Note: The Trib had originally reported that Mr. Miller's contention in the case against Lawrence Gluck was that HPD's decision to retroactivly terminate Independence Plaza North's J-51 tax abatement was improper, and as such does not protect Gluck from the application of rent stabilization laws. According to Miller, Independence Plaza should be rent stabilized regardless of the legality of HPD's action."]
State agency hits I.P.N. with a ‘punch in the stomach', Downtown Express, By Julie Shapiro, March 5-11, 2010
Albany Sides With Owner in a Rent Suit in TriBeCa, NY Times, By Cara Buckley, March 10, 2010
IPNTA Newsletter - February 2010 [pdf] [html]
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - Information for IPN Tenants
On a cold day in December, Daniel Squadron, Deborah Glick, Margaret Chin, and representatives from Alan Gerson, Jerry Nadler and Scott Stringer's offices came to IPN for a press conference requesting our landlord's participation for HEAP at IPN. (Home Energy Assistance Program.) Led by Squadron's office, our landlord agreed and registered. We want to thank our elected officials for their great support on this and other issues this past year!
Download the Letter and Quick Reference Guide for details:
"Feds say Gluck is gouging I.P.N." Downtown Express, Feb 5, 2010
Our Attorney, Seth Miller, has responded to the law firm representing Stellar Management. Read this letter.
Important Note Regarding our J-51 Lawsuit
For the benefit of the J-51 Lawsuit, Individual Tenants should not contact DHCR. You may file your overcharge papers, but please refrain
from calling.
Our Attorney, Seth Miller, has requested that he be the only one
speaking to them on our
behalf. This is an important issue and we should leave it in the hands
of our attorney.
Thanks for your cooperation in this important matter.
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