The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has agreed to an assurance of discontinuance with the homebuilder Hayden Homes and its nonprofit partner First Story, requiring them to stop adding illegal private transfer fees to properties and to pay back Washington homeowners who paid the fees. This settlement concludes the office’s investigation and avoids litigation. 

“Under Washington law, no one can force you to pay fees to a third party when you sell your home. Our agreement makes the affected homeowners whole and stops these suspect business practices.” – AG Brown