Greystar California $500,000 Application Fee Settlement

Greystar California, Inc. has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged violations of California Civil Code § 1950.6 related to application fees and receipts. This settlement affects individuals who applied for housing electronically to properties in California managed by Greystar from November 14, 2018, to March 4, 2024. Each eligible class member can receive an estimated $1.50 from the settlement fund.

Can I Claim an Award?

To be eligible for an award, you must be an individual who applied for housing electronically to properties in California managed by Greystar between November 14, 2018, and March 4, 2024. This period is referred to as the Class Period.

The class includes all individuals who meet the above criteria and do not exclude themselves from the settlement. If you fall within this group, you are considered a Settlement Class Member and are entitled to a Benefit Payment.

What Can I Get?

Under the proposed settlement, Greystar has agreed to compensate each Settlement Class Member with a Benefit Payment from a restitution fund of $500,000. This translates to roughly $1.50 for each Settlement Class Member. The exact amount may vary based on the number of class members who do not opt out of the settlement.

Additionally, Settlement Class Members who applied for housing at properties managed by Greystar during the Class Period can request a receipt itemizing the costs associated with their application fee. This receipt will include a best estimate itemization of the costs.

Breakdown of the Settlement Fund

• Benefit Payment: Each Settlement Class Member will receive an estimated $1.50 from the $500,000 restitution fund.
• Receipts: Settlement Class Members can request a receipt itemizing the costs associated with their application fee.
• Future Recommendations: Greystar will recommend to property owners that application fees be kept below $40 for the next four years.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

No proof is required to claim the Benefit Payment. However, if you wish to receive a receipt itemizing the costs associated with your application fee, you must send a written request to the Settlement Administrator.

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, you do not need to submit a claim form. A Benefit Payment will be sent to each Settlement Class Member within 174 days after the Court's Preliminary Approval Order. If you wish to receive a receipt itemizing the costs associated with your application fee, send a written request to the Settlement Administrator at:

Application Receipt Settlement Administrator

1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Email: info@ApplicationReceiptSettlement.com

Phone: (855) 535-7115

Include your name, address, phone number or email address, and the name of the property where you applied for housing. Specify if you want the receipt by U.S. mail.

How do I Get Paid?

Payments will be made via digital payment methods. If emails are returned as undeliverable or if a Settlement Class Member does not make a digital payment election within 190 days of the Preliminary Approval Order, the payment will be distributed to a California non-profit that advocates for tenant rights.

$500,000 Settlement Fund Breakdown

The $500,000 settlement fund will be used to compensate Settlement Class Members, with each member receiving an estimated $1.50. The fund also covers the costs of delivering receipts and recommending application fee caps to property owners.

Class Counsel will receive up to $92,500 in attorneys' fees and costs, and the Class Representatives will receive $10,000 each. The Settlement Administrator's costs are estimated at $98,287.

Important Dates

• Exclusion Deadline: August 10, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing: October 21, 2024

Why is There a Class Action Settlement?

The class action lawsuit was filed because Greystar allegedly violated California Civil Code § 1950.6 by charging application fees and issuing receipts that did not comply with the law. The settlement aims to resolve these claims and provide compensation to affected individuals.

Next steps include the Final Approval Hearing on October 21, 2024, where the Court will decide whether to approve the settlement and Class Counsel's requested fees and costs.