The Ecklin Group has agreed to pay $12,000 to settle federal allegations that it refused to renew apartment leases with Burmese refugee families.

The Ecklin Group denied discriminating against the three families, which rented apartments in Lancaster city.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Ecklin Group allegedly balked at renewing the leases because of the families' national origin.

Ecklin Group staff also allegedly said that the company would no longer accept rental referrals from Lutheran Refugee Services for Burmese families.

The federal Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to deny housing or impose different rental terms and conditions due to disability, race, national origin, color, religion, sex or familial status.

Ecklin Group is headed by Rob Ecklin, one of Lancaster city's leading real estate investors and developers.

He's best known as the owner of the Griest Building on Penn Square.

Ecklin could not be immediately reached for comment.

In announcing the settlement Tuesday, HUD said three Burmese families were notified by the company that their leases were not being renewed because of alleged lease violations.

The Ecklin Group told HUD that the leases were not renewed because the Burmese families were noisy and smelly, and attracted mice and roaches.

In one case, a Burmese tenant sheltered a person who was not on the lease, according to the Ecklin Group.

All three families generated complaints from other tenants in the buildings, the Ecklin Group told HUD.

But HUD's investigation showed that only the Burmese tenants' leases were not renewed, although the company had similar concerns about other tenants.

The agreement calls for Ecklin Group to donate $12,000 to Lutheran Refugee Services.

Ecklin Group also will provide fair housing training for all its employees, and include the phrase "Equal Housing Opportunity" or the fair housing logo in all rental ads.

tmekeel@lnpnews.com