New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken action against a landlord in Albany, accused of exploiting University at Albany students through illegal fees and misleading lease agreements. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) conducted an investigation into Asaf Elkayam and his company, Jerusalem Management, LLC, revealing violations of state laws regarding tenants' rights.
The allegations against Elkayam included excessive application fees, unreasonable cleaning and late fees, and unauthorized access to rental units. As a result of a settlement with OAG, Elkayam is required to pay $8,000 in penalties, eliminate any deceptive lease provisions, notify tenants before entering their apartments, and adhere to legal requirements regarding additional fees.
Attorney General James emphasized the importance of protecting tenants, stating, “No New Yorkers should have to fear that their landlord may enter their home unannounced, or worry about paying outrageous fees just to rent an apartment. My office will always take action to protect New York tenants from unfair housing practices and hold all those who violate the law accountable.”
The investigation began in 2022 after the City of Albany referred complaints about Jerusalem Management's practices. Instances of unlawful leasing provisions were uncovered, such as fees exceeding $20 per application and excessive cleaning charges. Some leases also allowed entry into tenants’ apartments at any time without notice. One tenant reported unscheduled apartment entries by maintenance as early as 8:00 AM.
Elkayam has agreed to comply fully with New York's housing laws, including removing unfair lease terms and limiting application fees to legal limits. He will also provide tenants renewing their leases with a copy of the OAG’s Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide.
Attorney General James has a history of addressing housing discrimination and supporting low-income renters. Recent actions include penalizing landlords in the Capital Region for discriminating against low-income tenants and ensuring fair housing tests and enforcement.
The case was managed by Assistant Attorneys General Christopher Lee, Vinita Kamath, and Elizabeth Gavin, with oversight from the Division of Regional Affairs, led by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.