A Colorado family is calling the practices of a global real estate company “unethical” after they were charged more than $4,000 in commissions when their mother died in one of the company’s apartments.
Leticia Farrer moved into the Greystar-owned complex last October. She died unexpectedly in January, and days later, her family says she was sent a bill for $4,140, citing penalties for terminating her lease early. Additionally, according to the family, the apartment building withheld Farrer’s security deposit.
Legally, it seems, the company is safe. Colorado law says that if the lease provides that the tenants are responsible for complying with the terms even in the event of death, that is enforceable. The family, however, claims that there are moral considerations that prevail over the law and it does not intend to pay.
“We were shocked,” said Kelly Gantos, Farrer’s daughter-in-law CBS News. “It’s not right, and we feel that if we stand up, others will be able to follow us… So we want to set the example that says we won’t do it, and that no one else should do it. … This is not something we will tolerate. We will do something about it.
Greystar didn’t respond Fortunerequest for comment on the situation.
This is not the first meeting between the company and customers regarding its practices. Greystar, which is based in Charleston, S.C., is facing a class action lawsuit in Denver District Court alleging it has charged thousands of tenants with illegal rates.
Farrer’s family hopes to see Colorado’s laws changed so that other families who find themselves in this situation don’t have to go through the same process.