Prepare Forms for Upcoming MBR Cycle

If you own a building with rent-controlled units, remember to submit the forms that need to be filed for the upcoming 2014-2015 maximum base rent (MBR) cycle. The forms include the Violation Certification and the Operation and Maintenance and Essential Service Certification.

The effective date of your MBR Order depends on when you file these certification forms, provided that your certifications prove to be correct. The timing is prescribed in the law. So the later these certifications are filed, the later the effective date of the MBR Order. For an MBR Order effective Jan. 1, 2014, the Violation Certification (VC), if required, must have been filed no later than June 30, 2013; and the Operation and Maintenance and Essential Services Certification (OMESC) must be filed no later than Oct. 3, 2013. This form requires you to certify that you are maintaining and will continue to maintain all essential services, and have made payments toward at least 90 percent of the operation and maintenance expense allowance for the building.

If no violations were on record for your premises on Jan. 1, 2013, you’re not required to file a VC form for an MBR Order effective Jan. 1, 2014, provided the OMESC form is filed on time. If you fail to file the OMESC form by Oct. 3, 2013, a VC form is required even if there were no violations pending as of Jan. 1, 2014.