NORTH SMITHFIELD – The real estate management corporation that screens prospective tenants for an apartment complex in Dowling Village is facing litigation from the state attorney general’s office over alleged violations of Rhode Island’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
A.R. Building Company, Inc., a national firm that also has properties in Cumberland, East Providence and North Kingstown, is accused of assessing illegal application fees, sometimes more than once for the same prospective tenant, as well as utilizing an “arduous” application process for those seeking reasonable accommodations for disabilities, according to a release from the office.
The attorney general is seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief, including requiring ARBC to stop charging excessive application fees, stop its discriminatory application processes and return unlawfully charged fees to consumers.
The experience of one prospective tenant at The Club is cited as an example. In early 2024, the suit notes that The Club – owned by Dowling Village Apartments, based out of Pennsylvania, would not let the prospective tenant submit her first application unless she paid $250 for an administrative fee and $30 for a screening fee, a process that ignored a newly-enacted state law that prohibits the assessment of such fees and limits what a landlord can charge prospective renters for a background check. Without explaining the purpose of these fees or providing copies of the screening documents to the prospective tenant, the rental complex rejected the application stating the woman did not make enough money and would need a co-signer.
A complaint submitted by the prospective tenant notes she submitted a second application about one week later, this time with a co-signer. For the second application, the management company again charged $250 for an administrative fee and $30 for a screening fee, a total of $280, offering no further explanation of the fees. When the woman requested a fee waiver, citing her previous application, she was denied and The Club also rejected her second application, citing credit reasons.
Built in 2019, the complex offers studio, one and two bedroom apartments in a four story, 88 unit building at 2 Booth Pond Way.
The suit notes that ARBC’s websites for its Rhode Island properties hinder the application process of those with disabilities, or service or support animals. After an applicant clicks the “apply now” button, ARBC has a written inquiry into whether the applicant has a disability and a need for an SSA. If an applicant clicks yes, they are directed to complete a 9-page accommodation request and instructed to stop the online application process and instead contact the leasing office to complete their rental application. Additionally, as alleged, ARBC will not hold a unit for prospective tenants with disabilities or SSAs until after verifying and approving a reasonable accommodation request, causing a significant delay for applicants with disabilities, the attorney general notes.
Attorney General Peter Neronha worked with the General Assembly in 2021 to pass legislation that restored the authority of the office to protect Rhode Island consumers against violations of the DTPA and file such suits.
same old crap greed greed greed.