What Is DHCR and How Does It Protect NYC Renters?

What Is DHCR?

DHCR stands for the Division of Housing and Community Renewal — now officially called NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). It's the New York State agency responsible for administering and enforcing the rent stabilization and rent control laws that protect nearly one million NYC renters.

If your apartment is rent stabilized, DHCR is the agency that sets the rules, investigates complaints, and ultimately determines what rent you legally owe.

What Does DHCR Do?

• Maintains rent records: Every stabilized apartment's rent history going back decades is on file with DHCR
• Investigates overcharge complaints: If your landlord charges more than the legal rent, DHCR can order refunds plus interest
• Issues rent reduction orders: If your building has services reduced (heat, hot water, elevator), DHCR can reduce your legal rent
• Approves rent increases: Landlords must apply to DHCR for certain types of rent increases beyond annual RGB guidelines
• Certifies preferential rents: Some tenants pay less than the legal maximum — DHCR tracks this
• Publishes the annual stabilized building list: RenterBuzz uses this data to show rent stabilization status on building pages

How to Request Your Rent History

This is one of the most powerful tools available to NYC renters. Your rent history shows every registered rent for your apartment going back years — revealing if you're being overcharged.

• ✓Go to hcr.ny.gov and click "Ask HCR"
• ✓Select "Apartment Rent History" as your reason
• ✓Provide your full address including apartment number
• ✓You will receive the history by mail within a few weeks
• ✓Compare the registered rent to what your landlord is charging you

Filing a Rent Overcharge Complaint

If your rent history shows you're being charged more than the legal regulated rent, you can file a rent overcharge complaint with DHCR. Remedies include:

• Full refund of all overcharges going back up to 6 years
• Interest on the overcharges
• Treble damages (3x the overcharge) if the landlord willfully overcharged

DHCR vs HPD: What's the Difference?

DHCR/HCR is a state agency that handles rent regulation — overcharges, rent histories, stabilization status. Contact DHCR when: you think you're being overcharged, you want your rent history, or you have questions about stabilization status.

HPD (NYC Housing Preservation and Development) is a city agency that handles building maintenance and safety code enforcement. Contact HPD (via 311) when: you have no heat, mold, pests, broken appliances, or other physical conditions that need fixing.

How to Contact DHCR/HCR

• Website: hcr.ny.gov
• Ask HCR portal: For rent histories and online complaints
• Phone: 833-499-0343
• Email: rentinfo@nyshcr.org
• Borough offices: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Long Island locations