Kelly Guzzo, PLC has initiated a class action lawsuit under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA). The case targets the owner of a large apartment complex and its property management company for collecting unlawful fees from tenants across multiple Virginia properties—specifically, charges labeled as “Community Fees” and “Pest Fees.”
The plaintiff’s lease included a “special provision” that imposed a $23 monthly Community Fee to cover amenities, property maintenance, and programs at the discretion of ownership and management. In addition, tenants were billed a flat $9 monthly Pest Fee—outlined in a Utility Addendum—to cover pest control expenses, regardless of actual usage.
Virginia law ensures tenants a warranty of habitability, which includes the right to clean, safe living conditions and pest-free residences. This legal guarantee cannot be outsourced to tenants. Kelly Guzzo alleges that the landlord and property manager violated state law by passing along these responsibilities and associated costs to renters.
This lawsuit continues Kelly Guzzo’s broader efforts to push back against “junk fees” imposed by landlords and property managers.
If you’re a tenant and want to better understand your rights or think you’ve been charged similar unlawful fees, we encourage you to attend the upcoming Tenant Rights Legal Pop-Up. This free event is presented by Virginia Poverty Law Center, Kelly Guzzo, PLC, Legal Aid Justice Center, Wesley Memorial UMC, New Virginia Majority, and Richmond Tenants Union.
🗓️ Saturday, July 26
🕚 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechanicsville Tpke, Richmond, VA
🔗 Register here
