Opinion
April 19, 1999
Amsterdam Lewinter, New York City (Mark Lewinter and Charles J. Seigel of counsel), and Pennisi, Daniels Norelli, L. L. P., Baldwin (Karen Schwartz-Sidrane and Sherrie Taylor of counsel), for appellant.
Jeffrey S. Ween Associates, New York City (Jeffrey S. Ween of counsel), for respondent. Marcia P. Hirsch, New York City (Jeffrey S. Ween of counsel), for respondent Marcia P. Hirsch, New York City (Martin B. Schneider of counsel), for New York State Division of Housing Community Renewal, amicus curiae.
PRESENT: HON. HELEN E. FREEDMAN, J.P., HON. WILLIAM J. DAVIS, Justices.
Order dated January 28, 1998 (Timmie Erin Elsner, J.) affirmed, with $10 costs.
Tenant's rent overcharge counterclaim, interposed in October 1995, is not barred under amended CPLR 213-a or amended Rent Stabilization Law § 26-516 (a). Those statutes preclude examination of the rental history of the housing accommodation prior to the four-year period immediately preceding the filing of a complaint or commencement of an action. The instant counterclaim does not seek inquiry into the legality of rent increases prior to the four-year period since it is challenging the amount of rent ($750) set forth in landlord's July 1992 registration statement (cf. Zafra v. Pilkes, 245 A.D.2d 218; Theoharidou v. Newgarden, 176 Misc.2d 97). The rent registration statement in effect four years prior to the interposition of tenant's claim set forth a legal rent of $267.45. Accordingly, tenant is entitled to recover any overcharges paid within four years of its October 1995 claim.