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Individuals who rented from Sela Realty Investments LLC in Florida between April 4, 2021, and April 4, 2025, may be eligible to claim up to 60% of their security deposit and receive debt relief from a class action settlement.
Sela Realty Investments agreed to pay $141,793.77 in cash payments and provide $669,408.48 in debt relief to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging it incorrectly retained security deposits and did not send the required legal notices to tenants.
Who can file a claim?
Class members must meet all of the following criteria:
- They rented a residential unit in Florida from Sela Realty Investments at any time between April 4, 2021, and April 4, 2025.
- They paid a security deposit at a property Sela Realty Investments owned or managed.
- Sela Realty Investments retained any portion of their security deposit.
- They did not receive a certified mail notice within 30 days of moving out stating Sela's intent to impose a claim on their deposit with the disclosures required by the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act.
If a class member moved out of a Sela-managed property on or before Dec. 31, 2024, and still owes a balance, they may also be eligible for debt relief as part of the settlement.
How much can class members get?
The settlement fund for cash payments is $141,793.77. Class members who submit a valid claim form can receive a cash payment equal to 60% of the security deposit they paid to Sela Realty Investments. If the settlement administrator identifies more than 391 class members, Sela Realty will increase the settlement fund by 60% of each additional member’s deposit.
In addition to cash payments, Sela will eliminate the debt of class members who moved out on or before Dec. 31, 2024, and still owe a balance. The total debt relief fund is capped at $669,408.48.
How to claim a settlement payout
To receive a payment, eligible class members must complete the claim form they received in the mail and return it to the settlement administrator or submit an online claim form.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Coleman v SELA, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 23668, Jacksonville, FL 32241
The deadline to submit a claim is Nov. 22, 2026.
Required documentation
- Claimants must attest that they meet the class criteria but do not need to proactively provide documentation. The administrator may contact them for additional information if needed to verify eligibility.
- Claimants using the online claim form must provide the notice ID and PIN they received in their settlement noice.
Payout options
- Zelle
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Paper check sent to the address provided
Settlement fund breakdown
The settlement fund covers:
- Settlement administration costs: Up to $15,000
- Attorneys’ fees and expenses: Up to $75,000
- Service award to class representative: Up to $2,000
- Payments to eligible class members: $141,793.77
- Debt relief for eligible class members: $669,408.48
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: Nov. 22, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim: Nov. 22, 2026
- Final approval hearing: Dec. 2, 2026
When is the Sela Realty Investments settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged Sela Realty Investments failed to comply with the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act and the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act. Specifically, the lawsuit claimed Sela retained tenants’ security deposits without providing the required certified mail notice within 30 days of move-out or the necessary legal disclosures.
Sela denied all wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the risk and expense of continued litigation.
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