RENT-REGULATED APARTMENTS CAN'T BE FOUND IN ALBANY COUNTY.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: JOHN CAHER State editor

ALBANY -- The state spends $12 million a year to administer the rent regulation program, and the rent regulators say there are some 500 regulated apartments in Albany County.

But officials with the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal apparently can't -- or won't -- identify them. Some lawmakers, landlords and tenants are beginning to suspect that the 500 apartment figure is grossly inflated.

Albany city officials say they are unaware of any controlled apartments. Assemblyman Ronald Canestrari, D-Cohoes, said he has heard there are a few in the city, but doesn't know where they are and can't seem to find …