Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a settlement agreement with a State College area landlord, Rodney Hendricks, doing business as Hendricks Investments, regarding his alleged unlawful deductions from security deposits and poor living conditions provided to tenants.
The settlement stems from a lawsuit the Office of Attorney General filed against Hendricks Investments, and owner Rodney Hendricks, regarding treatment of tenants — many of whom were Penn State University students.
Tenants reported Hendricks deducted from security deposits for illegal damages. Hendricks also advertised properties as move-in ready, when in reality, many tenants moved into dirty and unsafe properties, according to the lawsuit.
“For many, student housing marks their first experience living independently, but this landlord turned it into a negative experience for many tenants,” Attorney General Sunday said. “All Pennsylvania property managers must abide by landlord/tenant laws, and this settlement ensures that Hendricks Investments will no longer provide subpar properties or make excessive deductions from security deposits.”
The Office of Attorney General sued Hendricks in the Centre County Court of Common Pleas, alleging violations of the Pennsylvania Landlord/Tenant Act and the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law.
Under this settlement, Hendricks has agreed to comply with all requirements of the Landlord/Tenant Act and the Pennsylvania consumer protection law. Hendricks has agreed to provide tenants with a written and itemized list of actual damages when making deductions from security deposits, to be provided to tenants upon moving out. Additionally, Hendricks agreed to a prohibition on deductions for normal wear and tear, and adding disclaimers to all photos used to promote his properties which require a personal inspection of these properties before a lease is signed.
All tenants will also be given at least a 24-hour notice before Hendricks or his workers need to enter a property, unless in response to a tenant request or an emergency.
Hendricks also agreed to pay $30,000, which will be used to reimburse eligible tenants who previously filed complaints with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The settlement, in the form of a Consent Petition, was filed in the Centre County Court of Common Pleas by Deputy Attorney General Seth Miller and Senior Deputy Attorney General Paul D. Edger.
Original source can be found here.