Selby to Pay Refunds to Apartment Tenants

Southern California property manager R.W. Selby & Co. will pay $450,000 in refunds to apartment tenants who lost their security deposits because of improper charges by the company, according to a court-approved settlement announced by state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer. The attorney general’s office is not sure how many tenants are affected by the agreement, because it has yet to scrutinize Selby’s books to determine who should receive the refunds, said Sandra Michioku, a spokeswoman for Lockyer. Tenants do not need to apply for refunds, which will be prorated, she said. The settlement, approved by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, requires Selby to reimburse tenants living in complexes it operates in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties who were charged “unreasonable rates for repairs and cleaning costs.” Selby was found to have charged tenants the entire amount of their security deposit, regardless of the condition. Under the settlement, the company also will pay $138,000 in civil penalties and legal costs. Selby denied the state’s claims and said it agreed to the settlement to “avoid the time and expense of further negotiations.” Selby manages 1,600 units in 17 complexes in Marina del Rey, West Los Angeles, Whittier, Long Beach and Dana Point.