Hundreds of tenants at a Prince George’s County apartment complex plagued by rodents, bats, mold, and unsafe housing conditions will share in a record-breaking $11 million legal settlement, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced.
The case against Heather Hill Apartments in Temple Hills was set for trial this month, but the state reached a deal with the property’s owners, marking the largest settlement in Maryland history involving renters and an apartment management company.
From Complaint to Landmark Case
The action began with a single phone call to the Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Investigators later uncovered widespread violations, including apartments infested with roaches, mice, and bats, as well as units overrun with black mold and mushrooms.
Heating failures left families huddling together during the coldest week of winter, according to Brown’s office.
“When residents complained, the landlords neither fixed the apartments nor made them livable,” Brown said at a press conference in Largo. “Instead, they continued to charge rent, threatened late fees, and even tried to evict tenants from homes that were never even safe to begin with.”
Terms of the Settlement
The $11 million restitution package includes:
- $8.8 million in debt relief for residents who withheld rent while Heather Hill was operating without a license.
- $2.6 million in payments and credits for tenants who continued paying rent during that unlicensed period.
Current tenants will see dollar-for-dollar credits for payments made under the illegal operation, while former tenants will receive cash reimbursements. Roughly $250,000 will be distributed directly to former residents, and the remainder applied as credits for current tenants.
The settlement also clears 200 pending court cases, including eviction filings against tenants. Additionally, affected residents will receive help with repairing damaged credit scores linked to disputes with the management company.
Wider Implications for Landlords
Heather Hill only regained its operating license in January 2025, after state regulators forced the complex to address longstanding safety and health violations. Brown pointed out that the case should serve as a warning to landlords statewide:
“There are countless Marylanders, not just in Prince George’s County, who suffer from landlords who refuse to invest in the property, who neglect the property,” Brown said. “And we’re here to say, we’re going to hold you accountable.”
Brown also confirmed his office is aware of a separate class action lawsuit filed by Heather Hill residents, though the state is not a party to that case.
Resources for Tenants
Tenants who believe they are living in unsafe or unlawful housing conditions are encouraged to contact the Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662.
“This case demonstrates that no tenant should suffer in silence,” Brown said.
