JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville-based property management company will pay $64,000 in compensation and penalties after the U.S. Department of Justice found it violated federal law by charging early termination fees to military servicemembers.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, JWB Real Estate Management imposed unlawful fees on at least six servicemembers who attempted to terminate their leases after receiving military relocation orders—a right protected under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
As part of the settlement, JWB will pay over $39,000 to the affected servicemembers and a $25,000 civil penalty.
The company has also agreed to revise its policies and training to ensure future compliance with the SCRA.
“Our military families already shoulder the burden of military-ordered moves and deployments,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We will not allow them to be penalized by landlords for answering the call of duty.”
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe added, “Our servicemembers make tremendous sacrifices to protect the rights and freedoms of our citizens, and we will combat all forms of discrimination against them.”
The DOJ has recovered more than $483 million for over 148,000 servicemembers through SCRA enforcement efforts since 2011.
Servicemembers who believe their rights have been violated can find assistance through the Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program at legalassistance.law.af.mil.
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