Federal investigation calls grow for real estate giant behind Concierge Apartments

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) - Federal lawmakers are calling for an investigation into J.R.K. Property Holdings as the state continues its probe into the owners of Concierge Apartments, where hundreds of residents remain displaced in hotels following burst pipes that condemned the buildings.

Rep. John Larson said the situation warrants federal attention.

“This is something that doesn’t happen simply in Connecticut, but is happening across the nation and deserves a federal response,” Larson said.

Local and state officials have accused Concierge ownership of not investing enough money to prevent the burst pipes and not offering adequate help to residents until publicly pressured to do so.

J.R.K. Property Holdings ranks as the 50th largest apartment owner in the country with more than 25,000 units in at least 23 states, according to data from the National Multi-Family Housing Council.

The company has faced legal action in multiple states over tenant treatment issues.

In Massachusetts, the state’s Supreme Court ruled last year that landlords could no longer deduct “reasonable wear and tear” costs from tenant security deposits following a lawsuit against J.R.K. Property Holdings. The state’s attorney general claimed the company was breaking existing laws about charging for wear and tear costs even before the ruling.

In 2022, J.R.K. purchased Redbank Village, a large apartment complex in Maine. Tenants reported receiving letters announcing significant rent increases between $400 and $600 per month. The company appeared to violate a local ordinance requiring 75-day notice for rent increases.

Local leaders considered an eviction moratorium and rent freeze to help affected families. J.R.K. Property Holdings ultimately backed down and self-imposed a cap on renewal increases while investing $6 million in property repairs.

In Washington state, the attorney general sued J.R.K. Property Holdings in 2020 for allegedly threatening at least 14 residents at a Tacoma apartment building to either pay or vacate during the COVID-19 eviction moratorium. The company settled the case by paying $300,000 to those residents.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said his office continues investigating the Concierge situation.

“The town is doing everything it can. We’re doing everything we can to hold this company accountable and take care of these residents,” Tong said.

J.R.K. Property Holdings also owns The Residences on Bedford in Stamford. City officials said they have not received complaints about that property over the past six months.

The company has not responded to recent interview requests. Their last public statement was issued two weeks ago regarding ongoing repairs at Concierge.