Question 1

Why did I get an e-mail or postcard notice?

Accepted Answer

Records indicate that you were a tenant of one of the JRK California Apartments
during a relevant time period.   The Notice is to inform you of a proposed class
action settlement and your legal rights.

Question 2

What is a class action?

Accepted Answer

In a class action lawsuit, one or more people who have brought the lawsuit (the
“Plaintiffs”) are called “Class Representatives.” The Class Representatives have
sued on behalf of themselves and other people who have similar claims. Those
with similar claims are referred to as “Class Members.”

Question 3

What is the lawsuit about?

Accepted Answer

In this class action lawsuit, Plaintiffs claim that the Defendants violated
California law by: (1) charging tenants improper late fees; (2) charging tenants
improper fees for not having renter’s liability insurance; (3) raising rent more
than is allowed under the California Tenant Protection Act; and (4) improperly
raising rent more than 10 percent after 2017-2019 wildfire emergency
proclamations in Los Angeles, Sonoma and Ventura Counties.  Defendants deny any
wrongdoing and insist their practices were lawful.

Question 4

Has the Court decided who is right?

Accepted Answer

No. The Court has not decided in favor of Plaintiffs or Defendants. Instead, the
parties have agreed to avoid the costs and risks of trial and appeals.  The
Class Representatives and their attorneys think the Settlement is in the best
interest of the Class Members.

Question 5

How is the payment amount determined?

Accepted Answer

The settlement payment amounts have been calculated by Plaintiffs’ counsel and
the settlement administrator based on the amounts by which the contested rent
increases exceeded the alleged legal limits, the amount of late fees and RINCO
fees charged for each Class Member’s apartment and the total amount of the
alleged excess rent increases and fee charges for all Class Members’ apartments,
as shown in Defendants’ records.  The settlement payments reflect pro rata
shares of the Settlement Amount to be paid by Defendants, excluding attorney
fees and expenses awarded to Class Counsel, service awards to Class
Representatives and administrative expenses of the settlement administrator,
subject to a minimum payment amount.  If more than one person signed a lease for
an apartment, the settlement payment will be divided equally among the persons
who signed the lease, as shown in Defendants’ records.  Your estimated pro rata
payment amount is shown on the notice you received by e-mail or postcard, and is
available by logging in HERE [/submit-claim].

In addition to the pro rata settlement payments, Class Members who are in
collections for unpaid balances at JRK California Apartments sent to collections
from January 1, 2022 to June 27, 2024 ("Collection Class Members") are eligible
to submit a claim for an additional payment of $50.00 each. If your e-mail or
postcard notice indicates that you are a Collection Class Member, you may submit
a claim for additional payment by clicking HERE [/submit-claim].

FAQs for Class Members

Get the Answers You Need

Basic Information

The Settlement Benefits

The Lawyers Representing You

Objecting to the Settlement

Excluding Yourself from the Settlement

Getting More Information

Collection Class Members

Basic Information

1. Why did I get an e-mail or postcard notice?

2. What is a class action?

3. What is the lawsuit about?

4. Has the Court decided who is right?

The Settlement Benefits

5. How is the payment amount determined?

6. As a Class Member, does the Settlement change the amount of my rent?

7. As a Class Member, does the Settlement change the date that my rent is due?

8. Does the Settlement change the amount of any unpaid balance that I have for fees or rent?

9. As a Class Member, does the Settlement change my obligation to have or obtain renter’s liability insurance?

The Lawyers Representing You

10. As a Class Member, do I have a lawyer representing my interests in this case?

11. How will the lawyers be paid, and will the Class Representatives receive compensation?

12. Should I get my own lawyer?

Objecting to the Settlement

13. How do I tell the Court that I don’t like the Settlement?

Excluding Yourself from the Settlement

14. How do I exclude myself from the Settlement?

Getting More Information

15. Where do I get more information?

Collection Class Members

16. Collection Class Members' Eligibility to Claim Additional Benefits