Illegal Lockouts and Perjury: Management lies to court to evict legal tenants
If you are considering living in a building managed by AKAM, specifically 365 Bridge Street (Belltel Lofts), be warned. My experience has been a nightmare of harassment and illegal actions by management.
I have been a legal tenant with a valid lease since 2023. In May 2025, management illegally locked me out of my own home, refusing me entry based on a court order that wasn't even against me, but against the landlord. In NYC, you cannot lock out a tenant without a warrant of eviction, yet they have blocked my access and threatened to have the NYPD arrest me for trespassing if I try to go into my own home.
Worse, the Building Manager, Zamir Shabani, was totally dishonest when he testified in NY Supreme Court that he didn't know there were any leases for the apartment. I have proof—emails directly to him from months prior—where we discussed my tenancy and building issues. Their own lawyers billed them for researching my emails, proving they knew I lived there.
They are willing to lie under oath and violate NYC housing laws (Admin Code § 26-521) to harass residents. Do not trust this management company.