FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts
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410-576-7009
BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has obtained a Final Order against Professional Community Management, Inc., Michael Finley, and Scott Davis (collectively ProCom) for charging homeowners in the homeowners associations and condominiums they managed illegal late fees. The Final Order also found that Mr. Finley withdrew over $25,000 from an association’s bank account without permission.
Homeowner associations and condominiums can only charge homeowners, those who are delinquent in paying assessments, late fees that are authorized by their governing documents and do not exceed the limits imposed by the Maryland Homeowners Association Act and Maryland Condominium Act. The Final Order requires ProCom to pay back Maryland consumers that were overcharged fees for late assessment payments.
“Marylanders shouldn’t have to pay late fees that are pricier than what’s allowed by law,” said Attorney General Brown. “This decision should put property management companies on notice: if you overcharge consumers, our Office will hold you accountable.”
In addition to returning to consumers the amounts they were overcharged, the Final Order requires ProCom to return the money that was withdrawn from an association’s bank account without permission. The Final Order also requires ProCom to pay over $1.3 million in civil penalties and $179,000 in costs. Finally, the Final Order prohibits ProCom from continuing to charge consumers illegal late fees for delinquent assessments.
ProCom challenged the Final Order before the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County and requested the Court stay the Final Order pending appeal. However, the Circuit Court has declined to stay the Final Order’s injunctive and payment provisions.
Consumers with questions may call the Consumer Protection Division's hotline at (410) 528-8662.
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