Penalty Amount
$352,250
Consumers Affected
300
New York Attorney General Letitia James settled with Brooklyn High Rise LLC for illegally denying housing to prospective tenants based on housing court records, a practice known as tenant blacklisting. The company also charged non-refundable 'good faith' deposits. Brooklyn High Rise will pay $352,250 in penalties and restitution and must end its unlawful tenant screening practices.
Brooklyn High Rise must pay $202,250 in penalties and $150,000 in restitution to affected applicants. It must end its practice of seeking housing court records, remove court history and criminal background questions from rental applications, train staff on fair housing laws, and publicly affirm compliance with tenant blacklisting laws. Applicants who were denied or withdrew between January 2020 and December 2025 can file claims for $500 or $750.
In-house legal teams at property management and real estate firms should review their vendor agreements with tenant screening bureaus to ensure they do not include provisions that allow the use of housing court records in screening decisions. They should also update rental application forms and leasing agent training materials to remove any questions about court history or criminal background. Additionally, they should review their deposit handling policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state laws regarding 'good faith' deposits, including timely refunds. Contracts with property owners and management companies should include clauses requiring compliance with fair housing and tenant blacklisting laws, and indemnification for violations.
Entity
Brooklyn High Rise LLC
Industry
Real EstateOfficial Press Release
https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-stops-brooklyn-real-estate-firm-illegally-blacklisting
brooklyn high rise llc aod 2026
https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/settlements-agreements/brooklyn-high-rise-llc-aod-2026.pdf
New York Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://ag.ny.gov/press-releases
"Brooklyn High Rise LLC"
"pay $352,250 in penalties and restitution"
"New York Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA)"
"Real Property Law"
"illegally denying housing to prospective tenants based on housing court records"
"illegally charged applicants deposit fees to hold an apartment during the application process"
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