RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A Troubleshooter investigation has uncovered new details about a landlord being investigated after holding thousands of dollars in security deposits from North Carolina State University students and other tenants.
The landlord, Evageria Eustatiou, is under investigation by two state agencies, and the general counsel for one of those agencies, Janet Soren of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, said that as part of the investigation, Eustatiou was hired by a real estate agent. He said he had returned his license.
Troubleshooter Diane Wilson first told you about Eustatiu earlier this year. She is a landlord with several rental homes in Raleigh’s Dixie Trail, a desirable area for North Carolina State University students. She has owned these properties for years and rents them out to students. Students and others came to us claiming that Eustatiu was renting a house in poor condition and that she was harassing them and keeping their money, including thousands of dollars in security deposits. They are former tenants.
“She charged us $18,000 because we had a table on the porch,” said former tenant Dawn Tribbett.
I don’t understand how the same people can have so many complaints and problems year after year and get away with it.
Deborah Mitchell, parent of former tenant
Deborah Mitchell, a parent of a former tenant, told Troubleshooter: “I just don’t understand how the same people can get away with having so many complaints and problems year after year.”
During our research, we spoke to several former tenants of Eustatiu. They said they left the rental property in pristine condition and expected their security deposit back, but the landlord instead sent them a bill for thousands of dollars, which the tenants claim is unfair. I am. .
An attorney for University Student Legal Services said his office has been hearing complaints from North Carolina State University students about Eustatiu for more than 15 years.
“If she’s offended by something, I think she can assess the fine and define what that fine is. Even if it’s not written anywhere in the rental agreement, it’s not written anywhere in the law. It’s not specified, it’s just something that comes to mind,” attorney Michael Avery said.
Eustatiu initially told Troubleshooter that she was not interested in talking, but she later dropped at least $18,000 in claims against Tribett and her roommate.
After our article was broadcast, we received a letter from Mr. Eustatiu. It said, in part, that it had no intention of going after more money than the deposit. She also said the costs to restore the property to good condition were genuine and there was a record of the money paid, along with photos of the damaged and dirty property.
He also added that if he made a mistake and charged something he shouldn’t have, he would correct it immediately. The tenants claimed to have submitted evidence, but said they received no response.
The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the North Carolina Real Estate Commission have launched an investigation into Mr. Eustatiou’s transactions.
Thoren said the commission was made aware of problems with 24 tenants during the investigation. She said this week that the European Commission had accepted the return of Mr. Eustatiou’s real estate agent’s license.
What that means for tenants who say they haven’t had their security deposit returned and believe they are owed money. Thoren said he is encouraging tenants to pursue the matter in small claims court, and if they win, they can take home a judgment and help with the recovery fund process.
The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office said the incident is still under investigation.
Wilson reached out to Eustatiu for comment about the return of his real estate broker’s license, but the landlord did not respond.
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