A.G. says Pa. rental company illegally charged fees
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A Pennsylvania company that rents apartments to West Virginia University students in Morgantown was accused of violating West Virginia consumer protection laws.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court against State College, Pa.-based Copper Beech Townhome Communities Twenty-Six LLC.
The lawsuit said as a condition of renting property, tenants were required to sign leases containing several fees and charges in violation of state law.
Morrisey said Copper Beech collected nearly $605,000 in nonrefundable “redecorating fees” from West Virginia tenants in 1,197 signed leases.
Morrisey said state law makes residential landlords responsible for property maintenance costs, except for direct damages beyond normal wear and tear.
The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and refunds.
The company didn’t immediately return a telephone message Thursday night.