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Councilmembers prepare amendments to junk-fees bill to speed tenant refunds
Summary
Councilmembers previewed amendments to the junk-fees legislation intended to allow tenants to demand refunds plus double damages, with a 30-day cure window and streamlined remedies to avoid litigation if landlords promptly cure.
Councilmember Lynn and others said amendments to the junk-fees bill will add an alternative dispute mechanism aimed at providing quick refunds to tenants who are charged banned fees. Lynn described a process in which a tenant could demand a refund (plus double damages) and the landlord would have 30 days to cure; if the landlord promptly refunds all similarly situated tenants, further claims and attorney-fee exposure could be avoided.
Foster and Lynn both said the amendment seeks to avoid court for inadvertent landlord mistakes by encouraging prompt cure and providing tenants a fast remedy. Lynn said the amendment also contemplates that if a landlord fails to refund similarly situated tenants within the cure period, affected tenants would retain the right to pursue damages in court.
