New York State Attorney General Letitia James made Long Island’s largest apartment owner feel a bit smaller.
James’ office recovered more than $422,000 from Fairfield Properties, which was illegally withholding partial or full security deposits from former tenants. Authorities said Fairfield is required to return those security deposits to tenants, as well as interest.
The Melville-based company failed to provide tenants with itemized lists of deductions, which need to be given within 14 days, according to the AG. The firm also inspected apartments without present tenants and failed to give them the opportunity to make repairs or clean prior to withholding deposits, violations of state law.
Fairfield is tasked with reaching out to former tenants and sending out checks. The firm will also pay $90,000 in penalties to the state and is required to provide reports regarding its compliance with the AG’s agreement.
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“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to worry that their landlord will illegally withhold money that belongs to them,” James said in a statement.
Fairfield did not respond to a request for comment.
The firm, run by the Broxmeyer family, is the largest multifamily owner on Long Island. The company owns and operates nearly 200 rental buildings across Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens, counting more than 13,000 units in its portfolio.
In November, the company purchased two multifamily complexes in Stewart Manor for $13.3 million, adding 50 units to its portfolio. A year ago, Fairfield purchased complexes in the hamlets of Holbrook and Bohemia for a combined $160.7 million, purchases that accounted for 376 units.
James’ office has made headlines in recent months with penalties for bad landlords. In July, her office reached an agreement with SGW Properties for the landlord to return nearly $300,000 of security deposits to tenants. James found the company, founded by Yeshaya Wasserman in 2008, didn’t comply with the 2019 change to rental law that required the same itemized lists Fairfield failed to provide.