If you resided in any of the properties in North Carolina owned and/or managed by PALMS ASSOCIATES, LLC and/or DURHAM MEWS, LLC f/k/a DURHAM SECTION I ASSOCIATES, you may be entitled to benefits from a class action Settlement.

Important Dates

Claim Deadline
Exclusion Deadline
Objection Deadline
Fairness Hearing
  • The Notice informs you of a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by Jessica Johnson (the “Plaintiff”) against Palms Associates, LLC, and Durham Mews, LLC, f/k/a Durham Section I Associates (the “Defendants”). Plaintiff alleged that Defendants unlawfully charged and threatened certain fees when filing summary ejectment/eviction actions against their tenants at the apartment complexes of varying names that Defendants own, owned, manage, or managed in North Carolina. The Settlement resolves the lawsuit. Defendants deny that they did anything wrong or unlawful, including denying any liability to Plaintiff or to the members of the Settlement Classes.
  • If you are included in the Settlement, you may qualify to receive compensation. The amount of compensation is dependent on whether you are a member of the Collection Letter Class or Eviction Fee Class.
    • Collection Letter Class Members. If you are a natural person who (a) at any point between October 7, 2016, and June 25, 2018, (b) resided in any of the properties in North Carolina owned and/or managed by Defendants and (c) received a Collection Letter, then you are a member of the Collection Letter Class.
    • Eviction Fee Class Members If you are a natural person who (a) at any point between October 7, 2016, and June 25, 2018, (b) resided in any of the properties in North Carolina owned and/or managed by Defendants and (c) were charged and (d) paid Eviction Fees, then you are a member of the Eviction Fee Class.
    • See FAQ 5 for a detailed explanation of the Classes.
  • Please see the chart below which provides a quick reference guide to the deadlines and obligations of Class Members for each Class described above.
  • If you are a member of the Class, your legal rights are affected whether you act or do not act. Read the Notice carefully.
COLLECTION LETTER CLASS
SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM BY April 14, 2023

If you wish to receive benefits from the Settlement, you must submit a valid and timely Claim Form.
EXCLUDE YOURSELF BY April 14, 2023

You will receive no payment from the Settlement. This is the only option that allows you to ever be a part of any other lawsuit against the Defendants about the legal claims in this case.
OBJECT BY April 14, 2023

Write to the Court about why you think the Settlement is unfair, inadequate, or unreasonable.
GO TO A HEARING ON June 14, 2023 AT 2:00 PM

Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement.
FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR BY April 14, 2023

Your Notice of Intent to Appear in Court at the Hearing must be filed with the Court and served on Class Counsel and Defendants’ Counsel no later than this date.
DO NOTHING

Get no payment. Give up rights to ever sue the Defendants about the legal claims in this case.
EVICTION FEE CLASS
DO NOTHING You will remain a member of the Eviction Fee Class and will automatically receive a Settlement Benefit. Members of this Class do not need to file a Claim unless they are also members of the Collection Letter Class.
EXCLUDE YOURSELF BY April 14, 2023 You will receive no payment from the Settlement. This is the only option that allows you to ever be a part of any other lawsuit against the Defendants about the legal claims in this case.
OBJECT BY April 14, 2023 Write to the Court about why you think the Settlement is unfair, inadequate, or unreasonable.
GO TO A HEARING ON June 14, 2023 AT 2:00PM Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement.
FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR BY April 14, 2023 Your Notice of Intent to Appear in Court at the Hearing must be filed with the Court and served on Class Counsel and Defendants’ Counsel no later than this date.
  • These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained in the Notice. The deadlines may be moved, canceled, or otherwise modified, so please check this website regularly for updates and further details.
  • The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the Settlement. Payments will be made if the Court approves the Settlement and after any appeals are resolved. Please be patient.