PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Owners and managers of Heather Hill by OneWall — the apartment complex where residents battled mold, mildew, bats and no air conditioning this past summer — are facing charges for using unfair, deceptive and abusive trade practices with residents, Maryland’s attorney general announced Wednesday.
The 459-unit rental complex is allegedly in violation of multiple local ordinances, state statutes and laws, and housing and fire codes.
According to the charges, after purchasing the community in April 2022, the owner of Heather Hill Property Company and property managers OneWall Communities and Heather Hill Operating Company failed to get a rental housing license from Prince George’s County. Despite multiple notices from Prince George’s County’s Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), the companies allegedly continued to operate the building without permits until May 2024.
"Owners of multifamily housing units are required to hold a license in the state of Maryland. It's simple. It's straightforward. It's the law, but it took the Heather Hill property company 25 months after they purchased the property to even apply for a license for more than two years," said Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown.
Notices of violations in that time allegedly were about mold in floors, walls and underneath sinks; walls and ceilings having water leaks and stains; heat and air conditioning not working; inoperable stoves and dishwashers; fire code violations; rodent entry holes in baseboards and walls; infestation of bats, roaches, insects and rodents; roof leaks; water infiltration; chipping and peeling paint; and mushrooms growing through the floor.
Tara Jackson, the Chief Administrative Officer at Prince George's County DPIE said apartment conditions could also be the cause of reported health issues in the apartment and at nearby Dent Elementary School.
“There may be a correlation between the unclean living conditions and the health issues being experienced by students that attend the Dent Elementary School," Jackson said.
In May 2024, the companies reportedly applied for a permit for the first time and received a temporary rental housing license. And just a month later, they filed more than 100 failure to pay rent claims against their tenants, Attorney General Brown said.
On June 13, after an inspection, the companies were notified of a myriad of fire and housing code violations throughout all buildings in the complex. Apartments had unsanitary ceilings and walls with evidence of water leaks and stains, multiple emergency lighting fixtures in hallways and stairways were inoperable or missing, exits had broken or missing glass panes, and fire extinguishers were discharged, missing or had expired service tags, among other things, according to charges.
After failing a fire safety inspection on Aug. 4, the temporary rental license was suspended.
Despite that suspension, the companies allegedly kept asking for rent and threatening late fees. But the companies did not have a license to collect debt, and therefore violated state statutes prohibiting people from collecting debt without a license or debt that doesn’t exist.
Even still, the companies allegedly continued leasing, advertising and marketing "renovated" units.
“What they didn’t do is tell tenants the property was not licensed and that there were infestations." Brown said.
During the press conference, Brown said that he is seeking to recover money that the companies received from tenants using illegal trade practices, to stop charging tenants rent and to stop renting any currently vacant units to new tenants until they have a license.
"It doesn't matter whether you live in an apartment you rent or a house you own, your home should be a place of safety and comfort," Brown said. "Home is a place for children to rest in and parents to recharge. A space to share a meal with your family and talk about your day. A place to make happy memories for children. But that's not what the residents of Heather Hill Apartments have experienced. Heather Hill Property Company, to them, a home is simply an opportunity to make money."
Brown made it clear that it’s illegal for an apartment complex to collect rent from tenants without the proper license and said the county is working with the company to bring the building up to code.
“The goal isn’t to shut down apartment complexes. We need affordable quality housing throughout the state of Maryland. The goal is to work with property owners. Sometimes you have to get their attention ─ like charges. This will be costly for them. They can avoid these costs by making the investments in the property.” Brown said.
Furthermore, this should be a warning, he said, to all companies that violate licensing laws, have deplorable conditions for tenants and prioritize profit over people, that they will be held accountable by the Office of the Attorney General.
Brown said the county is working to make sure the property managers are not renting out any of their vacant units to new tenants.
The first hearing for this case will be Feb. 10, 2025.
For months, WUSA9 has reported on issues at various apartment complexes across Prince Georges County, including Heather Hill Apartments.
Rushell Fonville told WUSA9 you'll find "mold, mildew, bats," in the apartments, but what will be hard to find is relief from the heat.
"It's important that you treat our residents with the dignity and respect they deserve. This is a major step in the right direction," Prince George's County Council Member Edward Burroughs III, who represents District 8 said in response to Wednesday's announcement.
He and others hope similar investigations will take place at some of the other complexes that have had complaints filed.
WUSA9 spoke with tenants from a number of apartment complexes across the county, like North Hill Apartments in District Heights , Hickory Hill Apartments in Suitland and Capital Crossing Apartments in District Heights.
"It's a long time coming," said Prince George's County Council Member Krystal Oriadha who represents District 7.
She's spoke to WUSA9 before about the issues her constituents have faced.
"There are more bad actors out there who might be next. I hope this is a wakeup call," said Oriadha
She told WUSA9 she plans to push for two pieces of legislation in the new year. One will focus on tenants rights. The other will focus on accountability and transparency from the Department of Permitting, Inspects and Enforcement.
"A public facing database that would show violations so that it's easy to see who is violating. Tenants have the right to know what violations are pending and when you're making a decision of where to move you can look to see who are the repeat offenders. I think having that transparency will also help with accountability," said Oriadha.
During Wednesday's press conference, Attorney General Brown said they hope this sends a message to apartment complexes across the state.
"It is our intent not only to take action against Heather Hill to disgorge them of profits to make restitution to the tenants here, but to send a strong signal that throughout Maryland, this conduct is unacceptable," said Brown.
If you're facing similar issues, the first thing you should do is contact 311.
The county says unless they have a complaint through 311, they won't know that your issue exists.
If you live in an apartment complex in Prince George's County and do not have air conditioning, click here to contact PGC311.
If you're not getting answers speak up. You can contact us here at WUSA9.