Connecticut's attorney general announced a second settlement with the landlord of a 544-unit apartment site to resolve an investigation into unsafe conditions at the property, a deal that comes after the owner paid out $5.1 million in February to compensate tenants for problems at the complex. 

Attorney General William Tong said Thursday that prosecutors reached a deal with Los Angeles-based JRK Property Holdings over its maintenance of The Beacon, an apartment complex in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Authorities in February struck an initial agreement with JRK that offered up to $5.1 million in financial relief to tenants, including cash payments, free rent, utility waivers, rent freezes and options to exit leases.

Connecticut's attorney general began investigating last winter based on complaints that some units lacked heat and hot water, prompting evacuation orders when subzero temperatures arrived. One person was also found dead in a "poorly plowed parking lot" after a storm, in one of three deaths at the property in the span of a year, according to Tong's office.

In the months since the state's initial deal, however, residents and local officials in Rocky Hill continued to report water leaks, sewer backups and elevator problems.

"In February, we announced an unprecedented financial settlement to direct millions of dollars in relief to tenants who suffered exceptional disruption to their lives and damage to their property," Tong said in a statement. "This failure should never have happened, and I am concerned that there appear to be ongoing, potentially serious maintenance problems."

The agreement announced Thursday would require JRK to hire a third-party inspector responsible for checking the property for problems every quarter and developing a remediation plan.

The inspector's remediation plan would identify necessary improvements to mechanical systems, plumbing systems, heating and insulation, elevator maintenance, remediation of mold and asbestos and other features. The plan would also be available to the town of Rocky Point.

The agreement would require JRK to maintain an online portal for residents to submit work orders and would direct the company to maintain adequate staff to respond to residents.

The company would also be required to hold quarterly meetings with the town and with residents, along with regularly distributing a newsletter to residents.

Under the first deal in February, residents in three buildings that are part of the complex received an average compensation of about $15,000, based on a payment of between $1,100 and $1,700 per unit, plus three months of free rent and a waiver of February's water and utility fees.

Residents in two other buildings collected a $500 cash payment, plus one month of free rent and water and utility fee waivers for about $3,400 in total compensation on average.

All but three tenants at the apartment complex — previously known as Concierge Apartments — opted into the first deal.

"I want to thank Attorney General Tong and his office for their continued diligence on behalf of our residents," said Allan Smith, mayor of Rocky Hill, in a statement. "JRK's ongoing maintenance issues have real consequences for the families who live there and for the town as a whole, and this agreement is a meaningful step toward the safe, well-managed housing our neighbors deserve."

JRK did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Monday.

The state is advised by Allison Frisbee and Michael Wertheimer of the Connecticut Attorney General's Office.

--Additional reporting by Aaron Keller. Editing by Haylee Pearl.