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Dec 18. 2010 NEW INFO FOR ALL LAP TENANTS WHO RECEIVED DHCR FORMS...

Now MORE rent registration forms have been sent by Stellar/DHCR.

Nov 30, 2010 To All Lap Tenants Who Filed Overcharge Papers

Did you receive DHCR Apartment Registration Forms from Stellar Management?

About Paying Your Rent

The LAP plaintiffs who have been advised that they now may pay their last ML rent + electricity are those tenants who were named plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in NY Supreme Court in 2004, which was recently won by the tenants based on the J-51 tax abatement.

That does not include tenants who have DHCR overcharge complaints pending. Those tenants should continue to pay their monthly billed rent until advised to do otherwise by our attorney, Seth Miller. 


Dec 18, 2010 -- NEW INFO FOR ALL LAP TENANTS WHO RECEIVED DHCR FORMS...

Now MORE rent registration forms have been sent by Stellar/DHCR.
Please copy these forms and leave in an envelope for your building vice president.  If you haven’t already left copies of the original 8 1/2 x 11 “Rent Registration Forms” include those copies as well.  Make a note on the copy if you think the amounts are wrong. (See Instructions for submitting forms below.)

Nov 30, 2010 -- To All Lap Tenants Who Filed Overcharge Papers

Did you receive DHCR Apartment Registration Forms from Stellar Management? By filing these forms Stellar Management is finally beginning to do what they should have done back in June 2004 and registering our rent stabilized apartments with DHCR. They have started with the LAP tenants at this time.

IPNTA is collecting  2 copies of all forms  to provide to our attorney as part of the ongoing litigation with Stellar Management.  Please DO NOT send the copies of your forms directly to our attorney.  It's not fair to snow his office with hundreds of forms.  We will collect and organize the forms for him. Keep the original with your papers.

Please review your forms carefully and see if the information is correct.  Note that there are two forms -- one indicating your last Mitchell-Lama rent as of June 28, 2004; and another indicating the rent of your first post-Mitchell Lama lease with Stellar Management.  Check both for accuracy.

Make 2 copies of both of your forms, write directly onto the copy any comments you have about accuracy,  and leave under door of  the IPNTA Vice President of your building: (Townhouses can leave under any VP’s door):

EDMUND ROSNER     80 N.MOORE STREET        APARTMENT 37L
DIANE STEIN              40 HARRISON STREET      APARTMENT 15A
B.J.BERTI                    310 GREENWICH STREET APARTMENT 6J
ALAN HOWARD                   Townhouses       368B GREENWICH STREET

OR: As an alternative you may instead e-mail scanned copies of your forms to INFO@IPNTA.ORG 
Please do only one of the above -- leave hard copy or scan -- not both.

Tenants who filed with us and received the  forms MUST submit copies to complete your papers.
PLEASE NOTE: THE CASE IS STILL BEING APPEALED BY THE LANDLORD.

About Paying Your Rent

The LAP plaintiffs who have been advised that they now may pay their last ML rent + electricity are those tenants who were named plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in NY Supreme Court in 2004, which was recently won by the tenants based on the J-51 tax abatement.

That does not include tenants who have DHCR overcharge complaints pending. Those tenants should continue to pay their monthly billed rent until advised to do otherwise by our attorney, Seth Miller. 


(Oct 2010) IPN Tenants Have Won the J-51 Case!

What to do now: See the October 2010 newsletter for details. Act now to protect your rights as tenants of rent stabilized apartments.

October 2010 Newsletter (HTML) or download PDF

DHCR Overcharge Form http://www.nysdhcr.gov/Forms/Rent/ra89.pdf
Instructions: IPNTA_Instructions_Legalfund.pdf
This file contains 4 documents: Instructions for completing the Overcharge Form, sample overcharge form, Legal Fund Drive, and Tenant Information form.
Retainer/Solidarity Forms: Download the forms to review (a group form will be signed in person)

Information for Volunteers - Thank you for your help! Download Volunteer Checklist


*** Work Sessions to Collect Overcharge Papers ***

ALL tenants who moved in before April 2006
Who want to be represented by IPNTA’s lawyer

All meetings will be held:
310 Greenwich St, 2nd Flr Community Room, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
80 No Moore Tue, Oct 19
40 Harrison Wed, Oct 20
310 Greenwich Thu, Oct 21
Townhouses
(or if you can't make it on your night)
any night

What to Bring With You:

  • Completed overcharge form
  • Original and two copies of form and all documentation that you can supply.  You will keep one copy for yourself.  You must supply all copies.
  • Completed Tenant Information Form
  • IPNTA dues if not already a member ($25 person/$15 senior)
  • Legal fund contribution ($300 if moved in before July 2004; one month rent if moved in later)

At the meeting:

  • We will review materials and agreements with you.
  • You must sign Retainer and Solidarity Agreements. Review in advance.
  • We will collect your forms, documents, and payments.

Contact info@ipnta.org if you have questions (or leave note in IPNTA lobby box).
If you moved in after March 2006 contact
: edmundrosner@aol.com


About Paying Your Rent

The LAP plaintiffs who have been advised that they now may pay their last ML rent + electricity are those tenants who were named plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in NY Supreme Court in 2004, which was recently won by the tenants based on the J-51 tax abatement.

That does not include tenants who have DHCR overcharge complaints pending. Those tenants should continue to pay their monthly billed rent until advised to do otherwise by our attorney, Seth Miller. 


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 :

  • IPN is rent stabilized

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.


One-way Traffic on Chambers Street, beginning Aug 29, 2010
Download the Community Advisory

 
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