$1.4M Hoban & Associates Settlement Ends Class Action Lawsuit Over Allegedly Unlawful Tenant Screenings

Washington property management firm Hoban & Associates, LLC—operating under the name Coast Property Management—has reached a $1.4 million settlement to resolve allegations that it conducted illegal tenant screenings. The lawsuit claimed the company failed to provide mandatory disclosures before collecting background information and charging screening fees to prospective renters.

If you applied for a rental property managed by Hoban in Washington between 2017 and 2023, you may be entitled to a cash payment. Unlike many class actions, eligible members do not need to file a claim form to receive their portion of the fund; payments will be distributed automatically to identified class members.

Quick Case Snapshot

• Plaintiff: Soltez, et al.
• Defendant: Hoban & Associates, LLC (d/b/a Coast Property Management, Coast Screening Services, Coast Collection Services, Coast Management Company, Inc.)
• Court: King County Superior Court, Washington (or equivalent state jurisdiction)
• Case Number: Not disclosed (Related to Soltez v. Hoban & Associates, LLC)
• Filing Date: Originally filed 2023 (Preliminary approval Feb 6, 2026)
• Judge: Not yet assigned (Final approval pending)
• Claims Alleged: Violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act (WCPA), Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (WRLTA), and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
• Damages Sought: $1.4 Million (Settlement Fund)
• Current Status: Preliminary approval granted; awaiting final approval hearing on June 26, 2026.

Who Is Eligible for a Payout?

The settlement covers a specific group of people who applied for housing in Washington state. You are considered a class member if:

1. You applied to rent a property managed or owned by Hoban & Associates (or where they acted as the landlord) between April 28, 2017, and February 10, 2023.
2. The property was located in the State of Washington.
3. You paid a tenant screening fee to Hoban.
4. Your background was screened by RealPage, Inc.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs estimate that approximately 30,963 people fall into this category.

Payment Amount and Distribution

Each eligible class member is expected to receive a settlement check of approximately $27.56.

Because Hoban & Associates maintains records of those who paid screening fees, the settlement administrator will mail checks directly to the last known address of eligible applicants. No claim form is required. However, if you have moved since 2023, you should visit the official settlement website, HobanCoastSettlement.com, to update your mailing address and ensure the check reaches you.

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What the Lawsuit Alleges

The class action lawsuit alleged that Hoban & Associates engaged in “unlawful tenant screenings” by systematically ignoring consumer protection laws designed to keep renters informed.

According to the complaint, the company collected sensitive personal and financial information from prospective tenants without providing the mandatory disclosures required under the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that:

• Applicants were charged fees for screenings without being told exactly what information would be accessed.
• The company failed to provide the name and address of the consumer reporting agency (RealPage, Inc.) at the time of the application.
• The disclosures provided were not clear, conspicuous, or in the proper legal format.

The lawsuit argued that these failures deprived renters of their right to monitor the accuracy of their background checks, potentially leading to unfair rental denials based on incorrect data.

Defendant’s Response

Hoban & Associates has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and maintains that its screening practices complied with all state and federal laws. The company opted to settle the case to avoid the ongoing expense, distraction, and uncertainty of protracted litigation. By agreeing to the $1.4 million fund, the company is not admitting to any legal violation, and the court has not made a final ruling on the merits of the claims.

Legal Context: Tenant Rights in Washington

Washington has some of the strictest tenant screening laws in the country. Under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (WRLTA), a landlord must provide specific information before obtaining a consumer report or charging a screening fee. This includes:

• What types of information will be accessed (e.g., credit, criminal history, rental history).
• The name and address of the screening company.
• The applicant’s right to a free copy of the report if they are denied housing.

Failure to provide these disclosures is often considered a per se violation of the Consumer Protection Act, which can lead to significant penalties for property management firms, even if the screening itself didn’t contain errors.

Important Deadlines & Next Steps

If you believe you are part of this class, keep the following dates in mind:

• May 15, 2026: Deadline to exclude yourself (opt-out) or object to the settlement. If you want to sue Hoban & Associates individually for these specific claims, you must opt out by this date.
• June 26, 2026: Final Approval Hearing. The court will decide whether the settlement is fair and reasonable.
• Post-June 2026: Distribution of checks. Payments will be mailed only after the court grants final approval and any potential appeals are resolved.

FAQs

Do I need to find my old rental application to get paid?

No. The settlement administrator is using the defendant’s business records to identify class members. If you are in the database, you are automatically included.

What if I didn’t get a notice but think I’m eligible?

Visit HobanCoastSettlement.com and use the contact form to reach the settlement administrator. They can verify if you are on the list of ~30,000 eligible individuals.

Can I get more than $27.56 if I was actually denied an apartment?

This settlement provides a flat fee per applicant for the disclosure violation. If you believe you suffered specific, significant financial harm due to an inaccurate background check, you should consult with a consumer rights attorney before the May 15 opt-out deadline.

Will this affect my current lease?

No. Participating in a class action settlement is a protected legal right and cannot be used as grounds for eviction or retaliation by a landlord or property manager.

Last Updated: April 17, 2026

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Allegations in a complaint are not findings of fact. All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise in court.