New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced on July 24th that an agreement has been reached with the Spigro Property Management Company and its chief property manager, Friedman, who were accused of changing locks while tenants were out and evicting them without legal procedures. Spigro will pay a fine of $23,500, compensate four victims ranging from $1,000 to $1,200 each, and establish an internal lock-changing policy. In case of any future illegal eviction charges within the next 3 years, Spigro must report to the State Attorney General’s Office.
Spigro Management, LLC is headquartered in Brooklyn and manages over 40 buildings and more than 3,000 residential units in New York City, with a significant number being cooperative or condominium apartments where tenants with stabilized rents still reside from before renovations.
Following a complaint received by the State Attorney General’s Office in May 2025, an investigation was launched and revealed that the company unlawfully locked out tenants at least four times between 2020 and 2025. One Brooklyn man who had lived with his stepmother for over 22 years found his lock changed after she passed away. The next day, he learned from a neighbor that the landlord was removing belongings from the apartment. Another man living with his father in the Bronx for 45 years, after the father’s passing, applied to inherit the stabilized rent lease but found the lock changed during his absence. Yet another tenant had his access card deactivated suddenly after the death of his partner. A doorman living in the basement of a Brooklyn building returned home after surgery to find his lock changed and his job terminated simultaneously.
Letitia James criticized Spigro for changing locks surreptitiously while tenants were away, violating their safety, privacy, and tenant rights. According to the settlement agreement, Spigro and Friedman do not admit nor deny the four illegal eviction incidents identified by the State Attorney General’s Office.
Spigro is also required to document each lock change with dates, residential units, and legal justifications, train their staff, and inform current tenants of their rights against illegal eviction.
Under New York City regulations, even without a written lease, as long as one has legally resided in the same place for at least 30 days, landlords are prohibited from changing locks or forcing evictions. Victims of illegal lock changes can immediately call authorities and bring lease agreements, rent receipts, utility bills, or mail addressed to the residence to apply for an emergency court order at the housing court of their borough to regain entry. They can also dial 311 for the tenant helpline to seek free legal assistance.