Real Estate Commission disciplines broker, 2 staffers over Natchez house lease

The Mississippi Real Estate Commission suspended the license of a Natchez real estate broker and two members of her staff for one month and placed them on probation for 11 months over a $2,000 a month house they leased.

The Real Estate Commission recently announced the one-month suspension against Charlotte Copeland and her two sales associates, Karla Martin and Joanne Roper. In addition to the suspension, they were placed on probation and required to complete eight hours of mandatory continuing education.

The accusation against the agents involved mold in the house.

Real Estate Commission Administrator Robert Praytor said the three have now completed the one-month suspension but remain on probation.

In May 2018, the commission received a sworn complaint from Addie Mills about the property located at 21 Nottaway Trail.

Mills leased the property through Copeland's brokerage, Century 21 River Cities Realty. The property was an asset of an estate and listed for sale but authorized for rental by the Adams County Chancery Court.

Mills said Tuesday the Real Estate Commission decision proves "I was done wrong. The evidence proved I wasn't lying.".

Copeland said Tuesday, referring to Mills, "You can't trust that woman."

"There was nothing we did wrong," Copeland said.

Copeland said the Mississippi Real Estate Commission has rules to follow, but the decision didn't have anything to do with mold being in the house. Copeland disputes Mills' allegation of mold in the house.

The commission said Mills paid for the house to be tested for mold and submitted a copy of the mold report to Copeland but received no response.

The commission said the report didn't conclude evidence of "black mold" but did reflect a conclusion of fungal contamination and a recommendation for extensive cleaning and remediation. In her response to the commission, Copeland stated that Mills was immediately offered alternative accommodations and assistance to find another rental, but chose to move out of the property.

Mills began leasing the property in November 2017 at $2,000 a month with a one year term.

After leasing the property, Mills complained that Copeland and her company failed to properly inspect the property for unsafe conditions prior to leasing, including mold infestation and a natural gas leak.

Mills complained she suffered health problems as a result. Additionally, Mills complained Copeland failed to make repairs that had been promised upon leasing the property and for problems that were discovered thereafter.

In her sworn response submitted during the Commission investigation, Copeland acknowledged that Mills' lease represented an agreement to repair the referenced doorknob and damaged hall flooring. Copeland did not deny that these promised repairs were never completed.

The commission cited Copeland and staff for violating commission rules. 

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Contact Jimmie E. Gates at 601-961-7212 or jgates@gannett.com. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.