Tenants Sue Baron Property Group, Simon Baron Development, and Affinius Capital Over Alleged Rent Overcharge Scheme at Alta LIC in Long Island City
Tenants at flashy Alta LIC rental tower accuse ownership group and property manager of illegally inflating rents on hundreds of stabilized units, potentially costing owners millions.
Tenants at the 44-story Alta LIC building in Long Island City have filed a lawsuit against the building's landlord, an ownership group comprised of Baron Property Group, Simon Baron Development, and Affinius Capital, along with property manager Dermot Company. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges that the ownership group illegally inflated rents on hundreds of stabilized units.
The tenants claim that they were lured in during the pandemic with discounted "move-in" rents, only to have the concessions taken away at renewal and their rents reset at higher levels, in violation of state law.
The building, known for its flashy amenities and prime location in Long Island City, has faced backlash from tenants who claim they were misled about the true costs of living at Alta LIC.
According to the lawsuit, the overcharging scheme could potentially cost the