Alex Fotopoulos is the Founding Partner of Kourkoumelis & Fotopoulos, PLLC, a full-service real estate firm representing the rights of landlords both large and small. Alex counsels owners and developers through the myriad of regulations governing multi-family buildings in New York City, with particular emphasis on rent regulatory issues and matters concerning the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (“DHCR”).

 

Alex is regularly engaged to perform due diligence reviews of buildings for purchasers and sellers. These reviews include review of DHCR issues, and matters related to the Department of Buildings (“DOB”) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (“HPD”). On the purchaser’s side, Alex not only identifies potential deregulation and overcharge issues to give purchasers a clearer sense of the asset that they are purchasing, but also suggests solutions to the issues raised to help “get the deal done.” On the seller’s side, Alex helps sellers maximize the value of their properties by obtaining, organizing, and curating the documents necessary to prove the rents and/or regulatory statuses of their apartments. He also has extensive experience in matters relating to J-51 and 421-a tax benefits.

 

At the DHCR, Alex has successfully defended clients in overcharge proceedings and regulatory coverage applications.  He has also successfully represented owners in dozens of audits commenced by the DHCR’s Tenant Protection Unit. Alex has also represented clients in prior opinion and exemption applications based upon substantial rehabilitation, modification of services applications, and applications to restore rents.

 

In the courts, Alex has advocated for owners in Housing Court, Supreme Court, the Appellate Term, and the Appellate Division. In addition to defending owners against the alleged violations of the Rent Stabilization Law and Code, the firm also represents owners in summary proceedings and proceedings to enforce their rights against tenants.

 

Alex earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from New York University.