A Fife-based property management company will pay more than $46,000 to 22 service members after illegally charging them fees for ending leases early due to deployment, relocation, or other military orders.
Olympic Management Company agreed to provide refunds and interest to affected tenants following a state investigation, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced Thursday, Aug. 7.
The company manages dozens of apartment complexes in Western Washington, including Switchback Apartments in Lacey.
Under the federal and state Service Members’ Civil Relief Act (SCRA), landlords cannot impose early termination penalties or demand repayment of rent concessions when an active-duty service member deploys, changes station, or retires.
“Members of the military must be ready to deploy at any moment. They should not have to worry about unfair housing fees when they’re simply trying to serve our country,” Brown said. The attorney general, a former US Army JAG Corps officer, said the agreement ensures those rights are upheld.
Case Originated from Soldier’s Complaint
The case began in March after US Army Captain Steven Broyles, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, contacted the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
Broyles had medically retired and ended his lease early under the SCRA, but Olympic told him to repay $2,085 in rent concessions.
Broyles shared the company’s standard lease form with the AGO, which contained a claw-back provision that violated the law. The AGO issued a cease-and-desist letter and requested information on other service members who may have been impacted.
“Other service members were in the same boat. I’m glad that my fellow service members and I will not be taken advantage of,” Broyles said.
Swift Resolution and Payments
Two service members have already received payments. Refunds for the remaining 20 will range from $23.11 to $3,649. Olympic also agreed to pay $10,000 to the state to cover legal costs and fund future enforcement of SCRA protections.
Brown credited Olympic for quickly cooperating with the investigation, allowing for a fast resolution. “The company’s cooperation allowed us to reach this resolution in a very short time. This is how the law was intended to work,” he said.
Protecting Military Tenants
Washington granted the AGO authority to enforce SCRA laws in 2014. Service members who believe their rights have been violated should contact the Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program and file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
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