Navy Sailor Awarded $60,000 After False Eviction Leaves Him Functionally Homeless

The Department of Justice has announced that a Florida-based property management company will pay $60,000 to a Navy sailor following an unlawful eviction that left him “functionally homeless.” The settlement resolves claims brought under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which protects active-duty service members from civil liabilities like evictions.

The case involved A.H., a Petty Officer 3rd Class assigned to the USS Nimitz, who was mistakenly included in an eviction filing for a property where his mother lived but where he had not resided for nearly four years. The unlawful eviction judgment appeared on his credit and background checks, forcing him and his wife to live separately for months while he sought to correct the error. During this time, the sailor slept on his ship without heat, couch-surfed with friends, or camped, according to court documents.

The property management company, Rental Marketing Solutions, LLC, failed to verify A.H.’s active-duty status before proceeding with the eviction, violating SCRA protections. As part of the settlement, the company will pay $60,000 to the sailor, provide ten years of credit monitoring, and pay a $6,000 civil penalty. The case highlights the importance of enforcing laws that protect service members from financial harm while they serve their country.

This outcome underscores the ongoing efforts by federal officials to ensure that property management companies adhere to SCRA requirements, which aim to safeguard active-duty troops from legal and financial exploitation. Similar cases have involved landlords charging illegal fees or towing service members’ vehicles while they are deployed. By holding companies accountable, the Department of Justice is reinforcing protections for those who serve in the military.