Recently, March 1st.
I got notice that I was now to pay my rent to a new owner.
The entire Habitat for Humanity housing project has been sold.
I went there to pay my March rent.
The new rental property managers are afilliated with a kitchen/bathroom remodeling firm.
I get there with my check for $575 in hand and I am greeted by the property manager who then hands me over to a Chineese man that has trouble with my name even tho my name is spelled out on the check.
He informs me that I will be required to sign a new lease with the new owner.
Okay.
He informs me that since they are so accomodating, March rent is the same as it was.
Okay.
He informs me that to allow for Fair Market Value, my rent could go up as high as $750 per month!
He informs me that he is willing to work with me.
He informs me that he will get with me to discuss the details later this month and sign a new lease.
He couldn't understand me.
He spelled my name wrong despite having it printed in front of him.
The actual property manager was too busy to address me directly.
So, I went home and started looking for places to live.
Being on fixed income, I looked at 'only' single bedroom apartments.
Aside from the normal 'based on income' (I make too much) I find that most single bedroom apartments in a 300 mile radius are $600-650 per month.
These all have certain ammenities. Ammenities this apartment does NOT have.
I pay $575 for a two bedroom duplex built by Habitat for Humanity.
The cabinets are out of alignment, the floor creaks, the ceiling mud job is bad, the tiles are out of alignment, the home is situated on a busy thorofare with no noise reducing efforts (privacy fence, privacy hedge).
Its a home built by anyone, without expertise.
While at $575 a month it is a good deal, it certainly isnt worth market value. But, its pretty.
I look at my neighbors.
They are all retireees or disabled.
The entire complex is slanted to disabled.
They evicted 6 units in the last two months on the other side.
They are still empty.
That's six units that are not giving income.
They raise our rent to market value, it isn't worth staying.
But, I like where I am living, mainly because, I can pay my bills and still afford food and medicine on a fixed income.
My neighbors are stressed as well.
They get HUD assistence.
I get no assistance.
I fall between the cracks.
I worked for 30 years.
My issue is, should I sign a lease to stay at up to $200 more or should I go homeless till I find something? I am also not healthy enough to do a move.
Even if they DO work with me at a lower increase for a lease, in one year, will I be faced with the same dilemna?
When I asked, they told me that Habitat for Humanity could offer the 'units' at a lower cost because they received government funding.
I paid rent and paid my bills for 5 years without a problem.
I am not destroying their property.
I am a good tennent.
Shouldn't THAT count for something?
Granted, I know this is a diminishing return scenario.
Agreeing to an increase, that they decide to work with me on, is only a temporary condition.
I expect that any agreement WE make on a lease will be me agreeing to THIER terms or go find someplace else to live.
I'll have no say in the matter.
As it sets, I need to get out of here.
Problem is, I don't know where to go?
Its not like I can just work more to afford it.
Its not like I can just do without something.
Do without food?
Do without medicine?
Not pay my bills?
Not drive my truck?
At what point does living warrant sacrifice?
What the HELL is the point?
Edited by
Tom4Uhere
on Fri 03/01/19 10:32 PM