MATTER OF ASEN BROS. & BROOK v. Leventhal

428 N.E.2d 390, 54 N.Y.2d 839, 444 N.Y.S.2d 58, 1981 N.Y. LEXIS 3048

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate,Division should be affirmed, with costs, and the question certified answered in the affirmative.

Petitioner’s application for “first rents” was denied by the commissioner upon the ground that the renovations undertaken by it did not constitute a substantial rehabilitation of the rental premises. Although petitioner expended in excess of $100,000 on improvements, there was evidence to support the commission’s determination that no structural changes were made and that the 15-apartment complex remained unchanged. Under these circumstances, the commissioner’s determination to deny “first rents” had a rational basis, was not arbitrary or capricious, and, therefore, should not be disturbed. (Administrative Code of City of New York, § Y51-5.0, subd c, par [1] ; § Y51-9.0, subd b; Matter of Colton v Berman, 21 NY2d 322, 329; see CPLR 7803, subd 3.)

We have examined petitioner’s remaining contentions and found them to be without merit.

Chief Judge Cooke and Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler, Fuchsberg and Meyer concur in memorandum.

Order affirmed, etc.