Press Release  AG Campbell Reaches Settlement With Real Estate Company EasyKnock To Resolve Allegations of Unfair and Deceptive Conduct

BOSTON — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has announced a settlement, via an assurance of discontinuance (AOD), with the real estate company EasyKnock to resolve an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) into the company’s sale-leaseback products. Based on the investigation, the AGO alleges that EasyKnock engaged in unfair and deceptive acts and practices in the process of marketing sale-leaseback products and transacting with Massachusetts consumers, in violation of G.L. c. 93A. The AGO further alleges that EasyKnock violated Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Law. Under the AOD, EasyKnock has agreed not to solicit or enter into the sale-leaseback transaction at issue in the AOD on any residential property in Massachusetts in perpetuity. In addition, EasyKnock has agreed to make a payment of $200,000 to the Commonwealth, adjust tenants’ monthly rent amounts and return certain withheld funds to tenants, and revise its leases to come into compliance with Massachusetts law. EasyKnock further agreed to take reasonable steps and make a good faith effort to avoid evicting tenants.

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