The Rent Regulation Reform Act ("RRRA") of 1997, L. 1997, Ch. 116, in relevant part, provided for amendment of the New York City Administrative Code § 26-516(a) and (b). Both subsections now provide that, where the amount of rent set forth in an annual rent registration statement filed four years prior to the most recent registration statement is not challenged within four years of its filing, neither such rent nor service of any registration shall be subject to challenge at any time thereafter. This amendment applied to any action or administrative appeal pending before any forum on June 7, 1997 (See L. 1997 Ch. 116, § 33; Zafra v. Pilkes, 245 A.D.2d 218, 219).
The motion court erroneously concluded that the agency is barred by its own delay from reconsidering this FMRA, which was pending on June 7, 1997, under the post-RRRA standard. Administrative delay will not defeat the agency, absent a showing that the delay was willful or a result of negligence (See, e.g., Fichera v. DHCR, 233 A.D.2d 107, 108; see, also, Jahn v. DHCR, 140 A.D.2d 193, 194). The tenant makes no attempt to show that the delay herein was the result of negligence or willful conduct on the agency's part, and, despite the delay, the current law should govern (See, Reichman v. CAB, 117 A.D.2d 517, 519). The RRRA clearly specified that its terms were to take effect immediately and were to apply to any pending proceeding. As such, the proceeding must be remanded to DHCR for consideration on the merits.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.