Class action lawsuit against notorious landlord A&E Real Estate alleges it illegally overcharged Queens tenants by $5 million

July 30, 2026 - 04:14

A class action lawsuit filed against A&E Real Estate claims the company illegally overcharged tenants living in five rent-stabilized buildings in Queens by a total of $5 million. The lawsuit, brought by current and former residents, accuses the landlord of systematically inflating rents beyond what is allowed under New York's rent stabilization laws.

According to the complaint, A&E Real Estate used a variety of tactics to bypass legal rent limits. These included improperly adding charges for services that were never provided, falsely claiming major capital improvements to justify rent hikes, and failing to register apartments with the state as required. Tenants allege that these practices went on for years, leaving many paying hundreds of dollars more per month than they should have.

The buildings named in the suit are located in neighborhoods including Astoria and Long Island City. Lawyers for the tenants argue that the overcharges were not isolated mistakes but part of a broader pattern of abuse by the landlord. They are seeking repayment of all excess rent collected, along with additional damages allowed under state law.

A&E Real Estate has not yet filed a formal response to the lawsuit. The case highlights ongoing tensions between tenants and large property owners in New York City, where rent-stabilized housing is meant to provide affordable options but often becomes a battleground over enforcement of the rules.