Trelawny Tenants Union Rent Control Settlement

By Nancy English

The Trelawny Tenants’ Union won a large settlement in October, having shown that rent increases in units in Geoffrey Rice properties exceeded allowed increases under the rent control ordinance.

The total settlement was $3.6 million. Monthly rents in 27 buildings, including 59 State Street, are affected. Anyone who is or was a tenant at one of the properties may request repayment of the amount overcharged. According to the Trelawny Tenants Union, the rents at the Geoffrey Rice’s and the rental agency Apartment Mart properties will be rolled back to 2022 allowable amounts. Anything in excess will be refunded. Apply at apartmentmartrefunds@portlandtenantsunion.org

Initially, the Trelawny Tenants Union showed several violations of the ordinance to city officials. Then the City’s Housing Safety Office audited the rental records.

“Twenty hours of mediation resulted in the settlement,” Ian Jacob, Interim President of the Trelawny Tenants Union, said. The Portland Rent Board had ruled against Geoffrey Rice. “There are plenty of other landlords who find the rent control ordinance confusing. Some don’t know what banked rent is. I cannot speak to intent,” Jacob said. “It was great that Geoffrey Rice saw mediation as the best path forward.”