New York State Attorney General Seeks Restitution-Eligible Students

By Mattie Fitzpatrick | September 15, 2025

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The Office of the New York State Attorney General is looking for tenants eligible for restitution payments from a case settled earlier this year. 

Albany Landlord Asaf Elkayam, and his company, Jerusalem Management, LLC, were found to have violated both state laws and tenant’s rights following an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, which has now concluded. 

Elkayam and his company Jerusalem Management, LLC were first reported in 2022 after a complaint was referred from the City of Albany for illegal business practices. Elkayam and Jerusalem management, LLC, own and manage over 85 buildings and 200 rental units in the City of Albany, with many of their tenants attending the University at Albany. 

Elkayam and Jerusalem Management, LLC, were found to be engaging in predatory practices, primarily against UAlbany students renting their properties. The company was found to be allegedly overcharging tenants on application fees, charging unreasonable cleaning fees and unlawful late fees, and allowing workers to enter apartments without prior notice to tenants, according to the Attorney General’s Office. 

With the conclusion of the settlement, the Attorney General’s Office is now seeking affected tenants who may be entitled to restitution following the investigation. Elkayam must now pay $8,000 in penalties and amend business practices that were found to be violating New York State Law. 

Elkayam additionally has to provide new and current tenants looking to renew their lease with a copy of the Office of the Attorney General’s Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide.

Previous tenants of Elkayam who paid an excessive rental application fee might be entitled to restitution following the conclusion of this case. The Attorney General’s Office asks for all inquiries regarding eligibility to be sent to restitutionrequest@ag.ny.gov.

In a statement released earlier this year, Attorney General Letitia James said, “Asaf Elkayam took advantage of his tenants, many of whom were college students and first-time renters. 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.”