THIS TENANT ACTION ALLEGING FRAUDULENT RENT OVERCHARGES AND VIOLATIONS OF THE NYC RENT STABILIZATION LAW AND CODE IS APPROPRIATE FOR A CLASS ACTION; THE MOTION FOR CERTIFICATION OF A CLASS ACTION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined the tenants’ motion for class certification in this action alleging fraudulent rent overcharges and violations of the NYC Rent Stabilization Law and Code should not have been dismissed:

CPLR 901(a) sets forth the five requirements for certification of a class action: “1. the class is so numerous that joinder of all members, whether otherwise required or permitted, is impracticable; 2. there are questions of law or fact common to the class which predominate over any questions affecting only individual members; 3. the claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class; 4. the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class; and 5. a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy.” “These factors are commonly referred to as the requirements of numerosity, commonality, typicality, adequacy of representation and superiority” … . “[T]he court’s inquiry ‘vis-à-vis the merits is limited to a determination as to whether on the surface there appears to be a cause of action which is not a sham'” … .

… [T]he issue of whether the defendant overcharged tenants in violation of the rent stabilization laws pursuant to a fraudulent scheme predominates over the questions affecting the individual class members … . …

… [T]he plaintiffs demonstrated that they “will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class” … . Because the plaintiffs’ attorneys had “assume[d] responsibility for litigation expenses, the [plaintiffs’] personal financial condition [was] irrelevant” … . The plaintiffs also demonstrated that a class action was the superior vehicle for addressing their allegations … . Abdelrazek v 12-15 Broadway Astoria, LLC, 2026 NY Slip Op 03283, Second Dept 5-27-26

Practice Point: Consult this decision for insight into how the criteria for a class action are applied to allegations of fraudulent rent overcharges.