This decision involved a nonpayment proceeding “involving an unregulated lease agreement to pay rent in the amount of $1,800 per month commencing April 1, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2021.”

The petition alleged that the subject apartment (apartment) is subject to the Rent Stabilization Law (RSL). The tenant asserted a rent overcharge defense and counterclaim. She had moved for leave to amend her answer to include “an overcharge counterclaim pleading a common law fraudulent scheme to deregulate….” The tenant also moved for discovery.