News Summary
JWB Real Estate Management has been fined $64,000 for unlawfully charging early termination fees to servicemembers in Jacksonville, Florida. The U.S. Department of Justice found that the company violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act by imposing illegal fees on at least six military personnel who were ending leases due to relocation orders. JWB will compensate affected servicemembers and has committed to revising its policies to prevent future violations. This case underscores the importance of protecting the rights of military families.
Jacksonville – JWB Real Estate Management, a property management company based in Jacksonville, Florida, has been fined $64,000 after violating the rights of military servicemembers. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) found that the company unlawfully charged early termination fees to servicemembers who were attempting to end their leases due to military relocation orders.
According to the DOJ’s findings, JWB imposed these illegal fees on at least six servicemembers who were exercising their rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This federal law protects military personnel by allowing them to terminate leases without penalty when they receive orders for relocation.
As part of the settlement agreement, JWB will directly compensate the affected servicemembers with over $39,000. The company will also pay an additional civil penalty of $25,000. In response to the violations, JWB has committed to revising its policies and enhancing training protocols to ensure its future operations comply with the SCRA.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon highlighted the DOJ’s commitment to protecting military families from unfair treatment by landlords and emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of servicemembers. Furthermore, U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe reiterated that servicemembers have the right to legal protections and that discrimination against them must be actively addressed.
Since 2011, the DOJ has successfully recovered over $483 million for more than 148,000 servicemembers through various enforcement actions related to the SCRA. For military personnel who suspect their rights have been infringed upon, assistance is available through the Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program, which helps servicemembers navigate legal issues and provides necessary resources.
In response to the situation, Alex Sifakis, the President of JWB Real Estate Companies, stated that the firm is dedicated to providing respectful service to military and veteran residents. Sifakis emphasized that corrections have already been made to fix the administrative errors that led to the improper fees. He noted that these affected less than 1% of the company’s military move-outs.
JWB has also implemented updates to its internal processes to prevent future occurrences of such errors, demonstrating its commitment to compliance and to ensuring that servicemembers receive the treatment they deserve. Additionally, the company is focused on maintaining and enhancing its veteran-focused programs, indicating a long-term strategy to support the military community effectively.
This recent case serves as a reminder of the legal protections available to military servicemembers and the consequences businesses face when they fail to adhere to federal laws designed to shield this important segment of the population. The DOJ’s actions reflect ongoing efforts to ensure that violations of servicemembers’ rights are met with accountability, thereby reinforcing the need for landlords and property management companies to comply with the SCRA.
As military relocations are common and often necessitate immediate action, it is vital for rental companies to understand and respect the rights of servicemembers. With the settlement, JWB aims to rectify its previous actions and moves toward a more compliant and supportive operational model for those who serve in the armed forces.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News: Habitat for Humanity’s New Homes for Jacksonville Veterans
- Wikipedia: Military Personnel Law
- News4Jax: Mortgage-Free Home for Army Veteran
- Google Search: Military Relocation Rights
- Business Wire: Hunt Military Communities Acquisition
- Google Scholar: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- Florida Politics: Housing Assistance for Veterans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- Jacksonville.com: Mayport School Letters
- Google News: Military Housing Rights
