Operational Bulletin 2016-1
New York State
Division of Housing and Community Renewal
Office of Rent Administration
Operational Bulletin 2016-1 REVISED (February 3, 2020)
INDIVIDUAL APARTMENT IMPROVEMENTS
OVERVIEW
This Operational Bulletin is being revised to reflect the changes in the rent laws made by the Housing
Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019 regarding Individual Apartment Improvements (IAIs).
For IAI installations that commenced on or after the passage of HSTPA on June 14, 2019, owners are
required to file a Notification Form, related before and after photographs and a Tenant’s Informed Consent
Form, described in this document.
This Operational Bulletin provides guidance to owners and tenants of apartments subject to rent control
and rent stabilization both inside and outside of New York City on how DHCR will review the installation
of IAIs when a complaint of rent overcharge has been filed or there is an investigation with respect to IAI
installations. Pursuant to Rent Stabilization Code Section 2522.4(a)(1), Tenant Protection Regulations
Section 2502.4(a)(4), NYC Rent and Evictions Regulations Section 2202.4 and NYS Rent and Eviction
Regulations Section 2102.3, an owner is entitled to a rent increase for an IAI when there has been a
substantial increase of dwelling space, an increase in the services provided by the owner, improvements
installed in the housing accommodation, or new furniture or furnishings provided by the owner. This
Operational Bulletin provides the criteria which will be used when assessing an owner’s substantiation for
IAI expenditures which is submitted to DHCR in an overcharge proceeding and other investigations.