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State reaches settlement with Snohomish County apartment owners

Published 1:40 pm Thursday, March 19, 2026

By Will Geschke

A man works on a balcony at the Cedar Pointe Apartments, a 255-apartment complex for seniors 55+, at 17309 40th Ave. in January 2020 in Arlington. Washington attorney general Nick Brown named the owners of the Cedar Pointe complex as one of five defendants in a complaint alleging they engaged in unfair and deceptive practices. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

A man works on a balcony at the Cedar Pointe Apartments, a 255-apartment complex for seniors 55+, at 17309 40th Ave. in January 2020 in Arlington. Washington attorney general Nick Brown named the owners of the Cedar Pointe complex as one of five defendants in a complaint alleging they engaged in unfair and deceptive practices. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

EVERETT — Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown reached a $7 million settlement with a property management company, along with the owners of three Snohomish County apartment buildings, over accusations of deceptive advertising targeting seniors.

The state filed a lawsuit in June 2025, accusing California-based property management company FPI Management and the owners of three Snohomish County apartment complexes of failing to disclose to senior tenants how their rents would be calculated while misrepresenting the quality of their buildings and availability of amenities.

The companies denied the state’s allegations.

As part of a $7 million settlement, announced by the attorney general’s office on Tuesday, the companies will pay the state $2.5 million that will be used to provide restitution to individuals who were affected by the alleged actions. The companies will also put $4.5 million toward building upgrades, including improvements to amenities, security, HVAC systems and other parts of the buildings.

The settlement also includes requirements for the companies to adopt new policies and training, as well as make security improvements.

In the settlement, the companies did not admit fault and continue to dispute and deny the state’s allegations, the consent decree filed by the attorney general’s office read.

“Washington renters, particularly seniors with limited incomes, deserve honesty and integrity from their landlords,” Attorney General Nick Brown wrote in a press release Tuesday. “We will continue to enforce the Consumer Protection Act against those who deceive Washingtonians.”

The state alleged that the property owners did not properly disclose how their rent would be calculated and accused the companies of advertising the buildings as “luxury” or “resort style” when many units had broken appliances or leaks.

Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.

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