MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A rental company with property in Morgantown is the target of an official complaint from the state attorney general’s office.
Patrick Morrisey, announced Wednesday a lawsuit has been filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court against Copper Beech Townhomes.
The Pennsylvania based company is accused of charging student tenants fees that violate the West Virginia Consumer Credit Protection Act.
The suit claims a non-refundable redecoration fee, separate from a security deposit, violates WV law holding landlords responsible for maintenance repairs, not caused by tenants, prior to re-leasing an apartment.
The WV Attorney General reports at least 10 complaints against the rental company since June 2012.
The complaint alleges that Copper Beech collected a total of $604,602.50 in “non-refundable redecorating fees” from West Virginia tenants in 1,197 signed leases since the company’s inception.
The complaint requests reimbursement to tenants and civil penalties.