Attorney General Todd Rokita won a lawsuit on behalf of Hoosiers in the Northern Indiana town of Plymouth who were subjected to roof leaks, black mold, and unsafe electrical conditions at The Pointe Apartments on Kingston Road.
One tenant reported they were literally shocked in their own shower last summer as a result of extremely mishandled electrical problems. The landlord, RICH-MONS Group LLC, must pay a total of $303,702 in damages and penalties, the Marshall County Circuit Court ruled.
"This judgment sends a clear message that landlords must uphold their legal obligations to maintain safe and habitable living conditions," Attorney General Rokita said. "Tenants who pay their rent, or the taxpayers who may subsidize this rent, absolutely deserve the protection of the law, and we are committed to enforcing these rights vigorously."
The court's decision mandates restitution for former tenants, covering damages such as mental anguish and actual losses, totaling $214,902. Additionally, the judgment includes $13,800 for the costs incurred by the Office of the Attorney General in investigating and prosecuting the case, as well as a $75,000 civil penalty for violations of the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act.
The lawsuit, filed by the Consumer Protection Division through its Homeowner Protection Unit, highlighted severe safety violations at The Pointe Apartments that led to the displacement of approximately 20 residents following an inspection by the City of Plymouth Building Commissioner.
“I would also like to thank Asst. Section Chief Timothy Weber and HPU Investigator Molly Jefford for their respective roles in resolving this matter.” Attorney General Rokita said. “We are lucky to have public servants like them working every day to ensure that our office does everything that we can to protect Hoosier homeowners.”
The Homeowner Protection Unit remains dedicated to protecting the rights of tenants and ensuring equal access to safe housing. This victory underscores the commitment of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General to uphold the law and protect Hoosiers from deceptive practices.
The mission of the Homeowner Protection Unit is to protect the rights of all individuals involved in the housing market, including tenants, homeowners, and aspiring homeowners, by investigating and redressing deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending and violations of relevant state and federal laws.
Hoosiers with consumer complaints are encouraged to contact the Office of the Attorney General by visiting indianaconsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.