STATE COLLEGE, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry reached a settlement with Legacy Realty & Property Management, LLC, a State College landlord accused of charging unlawful administrative fees on security deposits. The settlement mandates the closure of Legacy Realty’s business and a restitution payment of $17,500 for affected consumers.
The Office of Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Legacy Realty on July 8, 2019. The lawsuit alleged that the landlord was in violation of the Landlord Tenant Act and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law for collecting administrative fees as a percentage of charges made against security deposits.
These charges included unpaid rent, damages, and cleaning, among others.
Attorney General Michelle Henry remarked, “Some of these tenants were students away from home, on their own, for the first time and signing their first leases. I’m thankful to see a positive resolution come from this case. My office won’t allow Pennsylvania students to be taken advantage of.”
As part of the settlement, Legacy Realty has agreed to cease its operations and pay $17,500 in restitution. This amount will be distributed to consumers who filed complaints related to the lawsuit’s allegations. To be eligible for restitution, consumers must submit a complaint online with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection within 90 days of the Order adopting the Consent Petition. Complaints can be filed at www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint.