Kelly Guzzo, PLC has filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of North Carolina renters against American Landmark Management LLC and two of its properties, Conrad at Concord Mills POE LLC and Cadence at Cates Creek POE LLC. The lawsuit alleges that Landmark charged tenants mandatory monthly fees for overpriced cable and internet packages and a credit reporting product, substantially increasing the cost of renting.
According to the lawsuit, these additional charges increased tenants’ monthly rent burden by more than $100. The complaint also alleges that Landmark imposed additional fees and penalties when tenants fell behind on payments or could not pay their full monthly rent and associated charges.
The lawsuit challenges what Kelly Guzzo, PLC alleges is a junk fee-driven business model that makes housing more expensive for renters.
What Are Apartment Junk Fees?
Apartment junk fees are additional charges that renters may be required to pay on top of their advertised or stated monthly rent. These fees can be presented as charges for services, amenities, technology, or other products, even when tenants have little or no meaningful ability to decline them.
In the Landmark Management lawsuit, the fees at issue allegedly included mandatory charges for cable and internet packages and a credit reporting product.
When these charges are added to a tenant’s monthly housing expenses, the actual cost of renting can be significantly higher than the advertised rent. A fee of even $100 or more each month can add up to thousands of dollars over the course of a lease.
Lawsuit Alleges Landmark Management Used Fees to Increase Rent and Penalize Tenants
The class-action lawsuit alleges that American Landmark Management and the two named property entities required tenants to pay monthly charges that effectively increased their rent by more than $100.
The complaint further alleges that the fee structure created additional financial burdens for renters who were already struggling to keep up with their housing expenses. According to the allegations, when tenants missed a payment or could not pay the full amount owed, Landmark extracted additional junk fees as penalties for falling behind.
These practices, the lawsuit alleges, contributed to a business model that made it increasingly difficult for tenants to afford their housing.
The lawsuit also points to eviction filings at Landmark’s properties, alleging that the company’s fee-driven model contributed to eviction activity at rates many multiples higher than the North Carolina state average.
Rising Housing Costs Make Rental Junk Fees a Serious Concern
With the cost of living continuing to rise, renters are facing increasing pressure from monthly housing expenses. Mandatory fees can make that burden even heavier, particularly when charges are added to rent without a meaningful option for tenants to opt out.
For renters, the difference between advertised rent and the amount actually due each month matters. Additional charges can affect household budgets, make it harder to stay current on payments, and potentially put tenants at greater risk of eviction.
Kelly Guzzo, PLC is committed to helping consumers challenge unfair business practices and combat rising costs, particularly when businesses impose fees that may violate the law.
Who Is Involved in the Landmark Management Lawsuit?
Kelly Guzzo, PLC filed the class-action lawsuit on behalf of North Carolina renters against:
- American Landmark Management LLC
- Conrad at Concord Mills POE LLC
- Cadence at Cates Creek POE LLC
Halperin Petersen & Mikkilineni LLP (HPM) and the North Carolina Justice Center are serving as co-counsel.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the defendants accountable for the alleged rental fee practices and pursue relief for affected tenants.
Are You Being Charged Mandatory Rental Junk Fees?
If your landlord or property management company requires you to pay additional monthly fees for services or products you did not choose, you may have questions about whether those charges are permitted.
Renters should pay attention to the total amount they are required to pay each month, not just the advertised rent. Review your lease, monthly statements, and any notices describing additional charges.
If you live in a property managed by American Landmark Management and believe you have been charged these types of fees, or if another landlord is imposing questionable mandatory charges, Kelly Guzzo, PLC may be able to help.
Contact Kelly Guzzo, PLC for a free consultation to learn more about the lawsuit and whether you may have a claim. You can also reach out to co-counsel, Halperin Petersen & Mikkilineni LLP or the North Carolina Justice Center.