What is this lawsuit about?

There are two related cases:

1. Reginald Nemore, Violeta Senac, Aurelia Millender, and Allen Bowen v. Renovate America, Inc. and the County of Los Angeles (Case No. BC701810), and
2. Zenia Ocana, Juan Ocana Lau, Violeta Senac, and Maria Alvarez v. Renew Financial Holdings, Inc., Renew Financial Corp. II, and the County of Los Angeles (Case No. BC701809).

These lawsuits allege that, in implementing the Property Assessed Clean Energy ("PACE") program, Los Angeles County, Renew, and Renovate committed financial elder abuse, entered into an unlawful PACE contract, and breached the PACE contracts. The lawsuits also sought cancellation of taxes due to PACE assessments and damages resulting from homeowners' PACE assessments.

In 2022, the parties agreed to settle, which means they have reached an agreement to resolve the lawsuit. Both sides want to avoid the risk and expense of further litigation. The settlement is on behalf of the homeowners who brought the case and all members of the settlement class, who are all homeowners who entered into a Renew Financial Assessment Contract or Renovate America Assessment Contract with Los Angeles County between March 1, 2015 and March 31, 2018, where that assessment contract has been recorded as a lien against the homeowner’s real property. The Court has not decided this case in favor of either side.

Who is included?

A Class Member under this settlement is anyone who fits the following definition:

All homeowners who purportedly entered into a Renew Financial Assessment Contract or Renovate America Assessment Contract with Los Angeles County between March 1, 2015, and March 31, 2018, where that assessment contract has been recorded as a lien against the homeowner’s real property.

If you are the heir of a homeowner who you believe meets the above definition, please contact the Settlement Administrator at 1‑888‑825‑1218 or info@PACELASettlement.com.

What does the Settlement provide?

The settlement pays money to homeowners who entered into a Renew Financial Assessment Contract or Renovate America Assessment Contract with Los Angeles County between March 1, 2015, and March 31, 2018, and whose assessment contract was recorded as a lien against the homeowner’s property.

The County of Los Angeles and Renew Financial have agreed to pay $12 million into a settlement fund. This money will be divided among the class members and will also be used to pay for costs and fees approved by the Court, including attorneys' fees and the costs of settlement administration (not to exceed $2 million in total).

For detailed information about four levels of benefits provided to class members who submit claims, please see FAQ 7.