Legal actions against Hawthorne Residential Partners have gone up by a lot since 2024. The North Carolina-based property management company now faces three major lawsuits from plaintiffs. These legal challenges come as the demand for residential properties keeps growing nationwide.

Hawthorne Residential Partners faces legal battles on several fronts. The Better Business Bureau has recorded many complaints about their service quality, repair delays, billing problems, and unprofessional behavior. The company also faces claims of Fair Housing Act violations. These include not helping residents with disabilities and discriminating against protected groups. Residents have also reported serious problems with mold and environmental hazards that changed their lives drastically.

This piece breaks down the latest updates about Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuits in 2025. You’ll learn about possible settlement amounts and who can qualify as an affected tenant. Current residents dealing with property issues or former tenants looking for legal help will find valuable information about their rights and next steps.

Understanding Hawthorne Residential Partners

Samantha Davenport, Ed Harrington, and Shoff Allison, longtime colleagues, established Hawthorne Residential Partners in 2009. The company has evolved into one of America’s largest property management firms. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, the company grew faster and now operates 325 locations throughout the southeastern United States and Texas.

Company background and operations

Hawthorne Residential Partners sees itself as an organization that puts people first. Their mission statement focuses on “leaving others better than you found them”. The company chose “Live It” and “Live The Difference” as its corporate mottos to show their steadfast dedication to customer service. The executive leadership team became complete when Phil Payonk stepped in as Principal and Chief Investment Officer in 2010, which helped drive the company’s swift expansion.

Company data shows Hawthorne now manages over 64,000 units in more than 275 properties across 8 states. This success led to their recognition from the National Multifamily Housing Council as a Top 50 Manager and Top 25 Developer. Their business model includes property management, acquisitions, and development. They want to create “experiences that are second to none”.

Hawthorne at New Center and other key properties

Hawthorne at New Center stands out among the company’s properties in Wilmington, North Carolina. This complex features one and two-bedroom apartment homes. Residents enjoy amenities like a saltwater swimming pool, dog park with agility equipment, and complimentary Starbucks coffee bar. The property’s location puts it less than a mile from UNC-Wilmington. Marketing materials highlight its position in “the heart of Wilmington” with easy access to shopping, dining, and beaches.

The complex promotes “luxury” accommodations, but tenant experiences tell a different story. A resident described their unit as “gross, moldy, unlivable” and suggested the property “needs to be condemned”. Another tenant advised future residents to check their specific unit before signing. They found their apartment was “infested with bugs, dirty, moldy, outdated” with “rusted and stained” fixtures.

Recent tenant reviews and complaints

Better Business Bureau records show 129 total complaints against Hawthorne Residential Partners over three years. 48 complaints were resolved in the past 12 months. Customer reviews paint an even darker picture, with an average rating of just 1.17 out of 5 stars from 47 reviews. Service or repair issues lead the complaints (58), followed by billing issues (33), and product issues (20).

Tenant grievances reveal systemic problems across properties:

1. Persistent mold issues: Many tenants report black mold in their units. Staff often try to fix it by “using bleach on a rag” instead of addressing why it happens.
2. Negligent maintenance responses: Residents often wait days or weeks for urgent repairs. Maintenance staff sometimes claim they visited units when they haven’t.
3. Deposit retention issues: Former tenants wait months to get their security deposits back. Some think about legal action after communication stops.

These complaints match allegations in multiple lawsuits against the company. Tenants cite negligence, unsafe living conditions, and violations of housing laws. Health concerns raise red flags as residents report respiratory issues and other health problems from long-term exposure to mold and environmental hazards in Hawthorne-managed properties.

Breaking Down the Lawsuits Filed Against Hawthorne

Hawthorne Residential Partners faces three major lawsuits since 2024. These legal battles reveal problems are systemic throughout their properties. The cases involve Fair Housing Act violations and negligence that led to tenant injuries.

Jehramyus v. Hawthorne Residential Partners LLC

D’Jai Okolo Jehramyus filed a lawsuit on January 24, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The case centers on alleged Fair Housing Act (FHA) violations. Jehramyus claims Hawthorne didn’t provide reasonable accommodations for a disability, which violates federal housing law. The court let Jehramyus proceed without court fees due to financial hardship.

The case falls under “Civil Rights: Accommodations” and cites 42 U.S.C. § 3601 (Fair Housing Act). Judge Victoria M. Calvert reviews Jehramyus’s request for injunctive relief. This could force Hawthorne to change its accommodation policies right away. The case stands as one of the company’s latest legal challenges.

Watts v. Rivarel LLC

Shannon Watts filed a personal injury lawsuit on July 1, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. She suffered injuries after falling on a defective stairwell at Ashley River Apartments on January 27, 2022. The lawsuit points to a loose handrail that created dangerous conditions for residents.

The case names several defendants: Rivarel LLC (Ashley River Apartments), Hawthorne Residential Partners LLC, and property managers Daniel Buckley and Linda Steinaway. The court sent the case back to state court on September 11, 2024. This decision suggests property managers could be personally liable for negligence claims.

Noronha v. Hawthorne Residential Partners

Juliana Noronha filed her case on October 16, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit involves civil rights violations under “440 Civil Rights – Other Civil Rights”. She ended up paying the $405 filing fee after starting with a fee waiver request. The case started with an EEOC Right to Sue letter, which points to employment discrimination claims.

The parties agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice on February 27, 2025, which suggests they reached a settlement. Before this, the court had set a jury trial for December 8, 2025.

Comparison with Bell Partners Inc. and Drucker and Falk lawsuits

These Hawthorne cases follow similar patterns to lawsuits against other property management companies. Bell Partners Inc. and Drucker and Falk have faced similar tenant lawsuits about negligence and fair housing violations.

Hawthorne’s cases stand out because they span multiple states – Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. This spread of cases suggests the problems are systemic rather than isolated incidents at specific properties.

These lawsuits reflect a rising trend of tenants taking legal action against large property management companies. The mix of Fair Housing Act violations, negligence claims, and personal injury cases points to deeper issues in Hawthorne’s management approach.

Key Legal Allegations in the 2025 Lawsuit

Legal challenges against Hawthorne Residential Partners show a clear pattern of alleged wrongdoing that goes beyond one-off cases. Court papers reveal similar complaints at their properties nationwide, which points to systemic problems in how the company operates.

Negligence and unsafe living conditions

Residents have documented safety hazards at Hawthorne-managed properties. Mold stands out as their biggest complaint. The maintenance team’s response to mold issues often fell short – they simply wiped surfaces with bleach instead of fixing why it happens. Tenants also reported broken appliances, leaky roofs, structural problems, and pest issues. Many plaintiffs say their repair requests went unanswered or faced long delays that made things worse.

Fair Housing Act violations

Multiple lawsuits claim Hawthorne broke federal housing laws through discriminatory practices. The Jehramyus case highlights their failure to accommodate tenants with disabilities. Plaintiffs also reported discrimination based on race, religion, and other protected characteristics. These FHA violations could lead to penalties beyond just compensation damages.

Unfair eviction practices

Court documents show Hawthorne kicked tenants out of their homes without proper notice or following legal procedures. These improper evictions caused financial hardship and disrupted people’s lives. Similar eviction complaints came from properties all over, which suggests this might be standard company practice.

Breach of lease agreements

Tenants consistently point to contract violations in their legal actions. The main breaches include:

• Not maintaining promised amenities and services
• Failing to make repairs required by the lease
• Not providing safe, livable homes as guaranteed in contracts

Class action lawsuits and systemic issues

The rise of class action suits shows courts see possible widespread problems affecting many tenants. These group lawsuits typically point to systemic issues rather than isolated cases. A ruling against Hawthorne could mean big fines, forced operational changes, and closer regulatory oversight. Successful class actions might also set new standards that change how the entire property management industry operates.

Eligibility and Steps to File a Lawsuit

You need to meet specific criteria and follow the right procedures to join legal proceedings against Hawthorne Residential Partners. Legal options exist through several channels if you’re a tenant facing problems with this property management company.

Who can file: current and former tenants

A direct tenancy relationship with the company lets you file a lawsuit against Hawthorne Residential Partners. Current residents and former tenants can pursue claims. Anyone who signed a lease agreement for a Hawthorne-managed property might start legal action if they faced qualifying issues during their stay.

What qualifies as valid legal harm

Valid claims against Hawthorne usually involve these categories:

• Health or safety violations: Ongoing mold issues, pest problems, or structural dangers left unfixed
• Discrimination incidents: This includes denied reasonable accommodations for disabilities or unfair treatment based on protected characteristics
• Improper evictions: Removal of tenants without due process or proper notice
• Contract breaches: Cases where Hawthorne didn’t follow lease agreement terms

Documentation and evidence needed

Strong cases need solid evidence. Tenants should gather:

• Before-and-after photos showing property conditions
• Written maintenance requests and management’s responses
• Medical records if property conditions caused health issues
• All management communications including emails, texts, and letters
• Neighbor statements about similar problems

Time limits and jurisdiction (including California cases)

Each state has different time limits for tenant-landlord disputes. Local regulations play a vital role. California cases must follow strict timelines because the state’s tenant protection laws have specific filing deadlines. Tenants should check their jurisdiction’s time limits before starting legal action.

How to initiate legal action

Tenants can pursue claims through these options:

1. Small claims court: Best for disputes under $10,000, costs $50-$150 to file and usually takes 3-6 months
2. Class action participation: You can join other affected tenants with similar issues, which takes longer (1+ years) but needs less individual work
3. Legal aid services: These non-profit organizations provide free or cheaper legal help to qualifying tenants

Tenants should try to fix issues directly with Hawthorne through formal complaints and documented repair requests first. Courts look favorably at these good faith efforts to resolve problems when they evaluate claims.

Hawthorne Residential Partners Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

The money settlements in the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit vary based on several key factors. Case specifics can substantially change the final settlement amounts.

Types of compensation tenants may receive

Tenants who joined the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit could get different types of payments:

• Rent refunds and security deposits for uninhabitable living conditions
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket repairs when management didn’t fix maintenance issues
• Emotional distress compensation from unsafe or discriminatory conditions[243]
• Punitive damages when Hawthorne’s actions showed willful negligence[243]

Factors that affect settlement amounts

The quality of evidence and case severity usually determine settlement values. Final compensation depends on the extent of damages, complete records, and the court’s judgment. Cases with detailed documentation and more severe issues tend to receive higher settlements.

Examples from similar lawsuits (e.g., Elmington Property Management)

Hawthorne’s exact settlement figures remain mostly private. Similar lawsuits against property management companies offer valuable insights. These cases saw settlements ranging from “a few thousand dollars to six-figure sums”. The court’s ruling in Arnold v. Elmington Property Management, LLC favored a tenant with chronic health conditions. This decision could affect future Hawthorne settlements.

Legal fees and punitive damages

Most lawsuits let tenants recover their legal expenses[243]. A related case showed attorneys’ fees reached $248,796.15 from a $500,000 settlement fund. Punitive damages work as both compensation and a warning against future misconduct.

How to negotiate a better settlement

Smart negotiation strategies can lead to better payouts. Strong negotiating positions come from complete damage records, professional repair cost assessments, and proof of emotional impact from poor housing conditions. Class action participation often benefits tenants. Past cases show class members got about $50 per claim plus substantial debt relief.

Summing all up

Legal troubles at Hawthorne Residential Partners raise red flags for everyone who has lived in their properties. Recent lawsuits from multiple states show these problems are systemic rather than one-off events. Tenants keep reporting the same issues: mold outbreaks, slow maintenance response, and problems getting their deposits back.

Three major lawsuits since 2024 have brought serious claims to light. These include Fair Housing Act violations, unsafe conditions, and failure to honor contracts. Affected tenants might get compensation in several ways – rent refunds, repair costs, emotional distress payments, and even punitive damages in the worst cases.

Anyone with problems at a Hawthorne property should keep detailed records. Good evidence makes a big difference in court. This means saving photos, emails, maintenance tickets, and medical records. While settlement amounts vary based on proof and how bad the situation was, similar lawsuits against property managers have paid out anywhere from thousands to six figures.

Hawthorne’s motto about “leaving others better than you found them” doesn’t match what tenants say about their experience. Class action suits work well to deal with these widespread issues, as we’ve seen in cases against other property management firms.

Knowing your rights as a tenant is the first step toward getting justice for poor housing conditions. Legal cases take time, but well-documented claims have the best shot at fair compensation. This could push Hawthorne to change how they run their properties across the Southeast.

Here are some FAQs about the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit:

What is the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit?

The Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit refers to legal action taken against the property management company regarding various alleged practices. These cases typically involve claims related to tenant rights, security deposits, or maintenance issues. The Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit has drawn attention in the real estate industry.

What are the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit settlement amounts?

The specific Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit settlement amounts vary by case and are often subject to confidentiality agreements. Some public records indicate settlements ranging from individual tenant compensations to larger class-action resolutions. The exact figures depend on the nature and scope of each particular Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit.

Is there a Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit update?

Recent Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit update information can typically be found through court records or legal news sources. Some cases may be ongoing while others have reached resolution through settlements or court decisions. For the most current Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit update, checking local court dockets or consulting with legal professionals is recommended.

What is the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit?utm_medium=referral?

The Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit?utm_medium=referral appears to be a web link parameter used for tracking referral sources to online content about the legal proceedings. This technical designation doesn’t change the nature of the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit itself but helps websites monitor traffic sources. The actual lawsuit details remain the same regardless of these tracking parameters.

Is there a Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit in California?

Yes, there have been Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit California cases filed in various jurisdictions within the state. These cases typically address alleged violations of California’s specific tenant protection laws and rental regulations. The California-based lawsuits form part of the broader legal challenges facing the company.

How many lawsuits has Hawthorne Residential Partners faced?

Hawthorne Residential Partners has faced multiple lawsuits across different states, though the exact number fluctuates as new cases are filed and others are resolved. The company has encountered legal challenges in several markets where they operate properties. Each Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit contributes to the overall pattern of legal scrutiny.

What types of allegations are in the Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuits?

The allegations in Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuits typically involve security deposit handling, maintenance neglect, alleged wrongful evictions, and other tenant-landlord disputes. These cases often claim violations of state landlord-tenant acts and consumer protection laws. The specific allegations vary by individual Hawthorne Residential Partners lawsuit and jurisdiction.