Landlord charged SUNY Albany students illegal fees, Attorney General Letitia James says

A landlord who rents "primarily" to students from the University at Albany took "advantage of tenants" with illegal fees and misleading leases, New York State Attorney General Letitia James said Monday.

The attorney general's office said that following an investigation, landlord Asaf Elkayam and his company, Jerusalem Management LLC, were found to have violated state law and established 'tenants rights by overcharging on application fees, as well as charging "unreasonable cleaning fees and unlawful late fees," while allowing workers to enter tenant apartments without prior notice.

As part of a settlement agreement, the attorney general's office in a statement said Elkayam will pay $8,000 in penalties, as well as remove "all deceptive or misleading provisions" from all future leases.

Additionally, Elkayam and Jerusalem agreed to provide advance notice to tenants before entering their apartments, the attorney general's office said. They also agreed to provide "predetermined fees for damages or legal costs" and to take "other actions" to protect tenant rights, James' office said.

The state university has more than 16,000 students from 23 states and 33 countries. There are 1,685 Long Islanders enrolled in the institution's undergraduate and graduate programs, according to a spokesperson for the university. 

The attorney general's office said Jerusalem owns and manages 85 buildings with more than 200 rental units in Albany and said that, other than one of those buildings, all of those units are near the university campus — renting primarily to students.

Elliot Hallak, the defense attorney representing Elkayam, said Monday evening that it was "disappointing" that James' office characterized his client "as a predatory landlord, when the entire premise of our discussions was that they were a good operator who enjoys a good rapport with tenants and is always willing to improve relationships wherever possible."

In a statement Monday, James said many of the renters "were college students and first-time renters," adding: "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."