Settlement also involves $30,000 restitution sum for impacted tenants
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a settlement with Home365, LLC, regarding the Las Vegas-based property management company’s alleged failures to timely address Pennsylvania tenants’ maintenance needs.
The settlement, in the form of an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, also alleges Home365 failed to return tenant security deposits.
The company used an artificial intelligence-based platform to assist its operations. Consumers complained that the platform was responsible for delays, as well as the company’s leasing of unsafe housing.
“As artificial intelligence finds its way into many aspects of modern society, it is imperative that those choosing to use this new technology ensure it is working effectively,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This company left many tenants waiting for fixes to water and sewage leaks and structural flaws, and failed to return security deposits to others. This outcome is another demonstration of my office fulfilling its core mission to protect consumers.”
The settlement alleges Home365 violated Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by failing to provide safe and habitable housing to Pennsylvania tenants, including failing to provide tenants with utility services (heat and water) and timely repairs. The settlement further alleges that Home365 failed to return tenants’ security deposits as required by Pennsylvania’s Landlord Tenant Act.
Under the terms of the settlement, Home365 will pay $45,000 to the Office of Attorney General, including $30,000 in consumer restitution and $15,000 in costs. As a result of this settlement, the Commonwealth will be distributing refund checks to consumers – who have already filed a complaint – ranging from $375 to $10,450. Additional consumers have 90 days to file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection to be eligible for restitution. The settlement also requires changes to Home365’s business practices to ensure these alleged violations do not occur again in the future.
If you think you may have been a victim of Home365’s business practices, file a complaint online, or contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555.
The settlement was submitted for filing in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Amy L. Schulman.
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