DHCR begins Queens remediation program.A pilot mediation mediation, in law, type of intervention in which the disputing parties accept the offer of a third party to recommend a solution for their controversy. Mediation has long been a part of international law, frequently involving the use of an international commission, program for Queens owners and tenants is underway under the watchful watch·ful adj. 1. Closely observant or alert; vigilant: kept a watchful eye on the clock. See Synonyms at aware, careful. 2. Archaic Not sleeping; awake. eyes of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal. The program was suggested by Commissioner Donald M. Halperin at the last owner's advisory meeting so that DHCR DHCR Division of Housing and Community Renewal counselors can help resolve tenant problems with owners before a complaint is formally docketed. It is expected the mediation program will attract tenants who actually want a housing issue solved and not those who are looking to avoid paying rent. When tenants come into the DHCR Gertz Plaza offices, they are asked if they want to join the mediation program before they file a complaint. If they do, then DHCR contacts the owner by telephone. If the owner chooses to join the program, then DHCR will arrange a date for an inspection of the apartment and/or the work to be completed. All work is to be completed within 14 days. The counselor will follow up with the tenant on the 18th day. If the work is not done, the complaint will be docketed and prioritized in the DHCR system. Karen Schwartz-Sidrane, an attorney with Rosenberg & Estis, said this is a way to get to the actual problem. "It's good for owners," she said. "The agency is monitoring the complaint and is giving owners a shot at ameliorating a·mel·io·rate tr. & intr.v. a·me·lio·rat·ed, a·me·lio·rat·ing, a·me·lio·rates To make or become better; improve. See Synonyms at improve. [Alteration of meliorate. the situation. This is a way to unburden owners from being stuck with these rent reductions and there is no pressure on the tenants." Joseph Strasburg, president of the Rent Stabilization Stabilization The action undertakes a country when it buys and sells its own currency to protect its exchange value. Actions registered competitive traders undertake by on the NYSE to meet the exchange requirement that 75% of their traded be stabilizing, meaning that sell orders Association, agreed this is a good system. "We've always argued that many times the landlord doesn't know that the problem is and many of these issues can be resolved without going through the arduous ar·du·ous adj. 1. Demanding great effort or labor; difficult: "the arduous work of preparing a Dictionary of the English Language" Thomas Macaulay. 2. DHCR process with the owner not knowing what is wrong. We support this proposal." |
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