DHCR Initial Registration
Proper setup of newly registered units with DHCR.
Our Services
Comprehensive DHCR & HPD compliance support.
At DHCR Proficiency, we provide comprehensive support to property owners and managers navigating DHCR and HPD compliance. Whether you need guidance, full‑service handling, or representation, we ensure your filings, applications, and cases are managed correctly from start to finish.
Filings & Registrations
DHCR & HPD filings for NYC rent-stabilized buildings
We handle all required filings accurately and on time, helping you stay fully compliant with state and city regulations.
From DHCR initial and annual registrations to IAI and MCI filings, HPD annual filings, and bedbug reports, we prepare and submit every filing New York property owners are required to make for rent-regulated units. Accurate filings protect your legal regulated rent, prevent default registrations, and avoid DHCR penalties tied to late or missing submissions.
DHCR Annual Registration
Timely and accurate annual filings to avoid penalties and compliance issues.
Individual Apartment Improvement (IAI) Filings
Documentation and filing of qualifying apartment upgrades.
Major Capital Improvement (MCI) Filings
Full preparation and submission of building-wide improvement applications.
Filing Amendments
Corrections and updates to previously submitted filings.
Annual HPD Filings
Compliance with HPD reporting requirements.
Annual Bedbug Filing
Preparation and submission of required bedbug history reports.
DHCR Record Retrieval
Obtaining official DHCR records and rent histories for compliance, review, and case preparation.
Filings & Registrations — Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the DHCR annual registration due in New York? +
- DHCR annual rent registrations for rent-stabilized apartments are due by July 31 each year. Filing late or skipping a year can freeze legal regulated rents and expose owners to overcharge claims, so we recommend preparing registrations well before the deadline.
- What's the difference between an IAI and an MCI filing? +
- An Individual Apartment Improvement (IAI) covers upgrades within a single unit, such as a kitchen or bathroom renovation. A Major Capital Improvement (MCI) covers building-wide systems like a new boiler, roof, or windows. Each has separate documentation, eligibility, and rent-adjustment rules under DHCR regulations.
- Do I still need to file annual HPD and bedbug reports if my building is small? +
- Most multiple dwellings in New York City must file the HPD annual property registration and the annual bedbug history report regardless of size. We confirm which filings apply to your specific building class and complete them on your behalf.
Applications
DHCR applications for rehabilitation, rent restoration, and service modifications
From strategy to submission, we guide you through the process — and when needed, handle everything on your behalf, including full representation.
Substantial rehabilitation, rent restoration, and modification of services applications all require detailed evidence packages and careful regulatory framing. We prepare the strategy, the supporting documentation, and the DHCR filing — and represent owners through the agency's review and any follow-up requests.
Substantial Rehabilitation Applications
End-to-end handling of applications to qualify buildings for exemption from rent stabilization, including strategic guidance, documentation, and submission.
Rent Restoration Applications
Preparation and filing to restore legal rent after conditions have been corrected, including follow-up and representation as needed.
Modification of Services Applications
Advising, preparing, and filing applications to modify or reduce required services in compliance with DHCR regulations.
Applications — Frequently Asked Questions
- What qualifies a building for substantial rehabilitation under DHCR rules? +
- DHCR generally requires that a building be substantially vacant, that at least 75% of building-wide and apartment systems be replaced, and that the work meet code and documentation standards. We assess eligibility before owners commit to the application path.
- How long does a rent restoration application take? +
- Timelines vary, but most rent restoration applications take several months from filing to determination. Once underlying service conditions are corrected and documented, we file promptly and respond to DHCR inquiries to keep the case moving.
- Can I reduce a required service without facing a rent reduction order? +
- Sometimes. A modification of services application is the regulatory pathway to formally change a required service. Doing it informally — without DHCR approval — typically triggers tenant complaints and rent reduction orders.
Case Management & Representation
DHCR overcharge, lease violation, and rent reduction defense
We don't just advise — we actively manage and represent you throughout DHCR cases to protect your position and minimize liability.
When tenants file complaints or DHCR opens a case, owners face deadlines, evidence requirements, and significant financial exposure. We manage rent overcharge defenses, lease violation responses, rent reduction proceedings, and ongoing case strategy to protect legal rents and limit liability.
Overcharge Cases
Full defense strategy, documentation, and representation in response to rent overcharge claims.
Lease Violation Cases
Guidance, preparation, and response to tenant complaints and alleged violations.
Rent Reduction Cases
Handling and representation in service-related rent reduction proceedings, including strategy to restore rent.
Case Consulting
Ongoing advisory on active or potential DHCR matters to reduce exposure and strengthen your position.
Case Management & Representation — Frequently Asked Questions
- How far back can DHCR look in a rent overcharge case? +
- Following recent legislative changes, DHCR can review rent histories well beyond the prior four-year window in many cases. We assemble the full registration history, IAI/MCI documentation, and lease records needed to establish the legal regulated rent.
- What happens if a tenant wins a rent reduction order? +
- A rent reduction order freezes the legal rent and rolls it back until the underlying service is restored and DHCR grants a rent restoration. We handle both the defense of the original complaint and the restoration filing once conditions are corrected.
- Do I need an attorney, or can a DHCR consultant represent me? +
- Many DHCR matters are administrative and can be handled by an experienced consultant. For matters that move into court or require legal opinions, we coordinate with an attorney network so the case is handled by the right professional at each stage.
Additional Services
Due diligence, leases, and MDR setup for NYC owners
Beyond filings and cases, we support acquisitions, lease drafting, and new building setup. Regulatory due diligence helps buyers price risk before closing, compliant leases and riders prevent future disputes, and MDR registration gets new buildings into HPD and DHCR systems correctly from day one.
Regulatory Due Diligence
In-depth review of building records, registrations, and compliance status — ideal for acquisitions or internal audits.
Preparing Leases & Riders
Drafting compliant leases and riders aligned with current DHCR requirements.
Obtain New MDR Numbers
Assistance with securing new Multiple Dwelling Registration (MDR) numbers and ensuring proper setup.
Additional Services — Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I order regulatory due diligence on a building? +
- Ideally before signing a contract, and always before closing. We pull DHCR registration history, verify rent stabilization status unit-by-unit, and flag missing filings or open cases that affect valuation and post-closing exposure.
- Why do I need a DHCR-compliant lease rider? +
- Rent-stabilized tenancies require specific notices and riders. Missing or outdated riders can invalidate rent increases and create grounds for tenant complaints. We draft and update lease packages aligned with current DHCR requirements.
How we work
Four steps from chaos to current.
- 01
Consult
We review your portfolio, surface immediate risks, and scope the engagement transparently.
- 02
Audit
Line-by-line rent history review, registration status check, and risk scoring per unit.
- 03
File
Annual registrations, amendments, IAI/MCI documentation — filed accurately and on schedule.
- 04
Maintain
Ongoing compliance monitoring, annual filings, and a direct line for the unexpected.