Tenants in Kingston encounter complications while trying to claim back owed rental refunds
In the city of Kingston, tenants who are owed refunds from the Rent Guidelines Board’s 15% rollback are encountering significant obstacles in collecting these refunds. The issues stem from problems with the city's claims system, website inefficiencies, and the likelihood of landlords engaging in court battles over overcharges.
Tenant advocates confirm that while the court upheld the rent rollback and allowed tenants to seek refunds, practical barriers remain.
To effectively collect rent refunds, Kingston tenants should consider the following strategies:
- Engage with local tenant advocacy groups: These organisations can provide guidance, resources, and sometimes legal representation to navigate the refund claims process, especially given the problems with the city's claims system and website.
- Document overcharges thoroughly: Tenants should keep detailed records of rent payments and any charges exceeding the Rent Guidelines Board’s allowed rates to support their claims in potential disputes or court proceedings.
- Use legal counsel or housing court support: Since landlords may contest refunds in court, tenants may need legal assistance to enforce their rights and ensure compliance with the Rent Guidelines Board decision.
- Monitor city updates: The Kingston Common Council is considering changes to the rent stabilization program, which might affect eligibility and procedures. Staying informed on these developments could impact refund claims and tenant protections.
- File claims promptly and persistently: Despite technical difficulties with the claims system or website, tenants should submit refund claims as soon as possible and follow up regularly to ensure their applications are processed.
Jennie Goldstein, an organiser with For The Many, stated that DHCR is unresponsive to calls and inquiries from tenants about their refunds. This underscores the importance of tenants being proactive by leveraging tenant advocacy, preparing detailed documentation, seeking legal support, and staying informed on policy changes to overcome systemic hurdles in collecting rent refunds in Kingston.
[1] For The Many, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and the Hudson Valley Justice Center have opened an overcharge clinic to help Kingston tenants residing in rent stabilized units get judgments from DHCR.
[2] The overcharge claim process for Kingston tenants may take up to 13 months from initial filing to potential refund receipt, with some tenants resorting to sending certified mail to DHCR’s office in Queens due to issues with the online application.
- Tenants facing difficulty collecting rent refunds from the Rent Guidelines Board's 15% rollback in Kingston might find assistance at the overcharge clinic initiated by For The Many, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and the Hudson Valley Justice Center, which specifically helps tenants residing in rent-stabilized units.
- To expedite the overcharge claim process in Kingston, which can take up to 13 months and sometimes necessitates sending certified mail to DHCR's office in Queens due to website inefficiencies, tenants should stay proactive by engaging with local tenant advocacy groups, documenting overcharges thoroughly, seeking legal counsel or housing court support, monitoring city updates, and filing claims promptly and persistently.
