Hodges v. Sasil Corp.

Plaintiffs, two sisters living in separate, federally-subsidized apartments, were regularly behind on their rent. Their missed rental payments prompted the filing of several summary dispossess actions seeking eviction. The summonses and complaints, prepared by the landlord’s attorneys, labeled the total amount due and owing — the actual monthly rental obligation, late charges, attorneys’ fees, and miscellaneous fees — as “rent.” The complaints did not advise plaintiffs that in order for them to avoid eviction, they were required to pay only the statutorily-defined rent rather than all amounts…