/r/TenantUnion

Photograph via snooOG

Communities organizing against gentrification, slumlord abuse and harassment using the power of collective bargaining, mutual aid and direct action.

/r/TenantUnion

8,455 Subscribers

1

So many issues

So we moved into a single family home In July in San Antonio Texas.. We have a huge American Roach problem. We see them daily. Landlord was very helpful initially and paid for pest control to come. They have come every 2 weeks since July.. we still see roaches daily. The big giant ones or babies. All American not German. Trust me I’ve done SOOOO much research.. we finally expressed how frustrating this is and how we are taking about having a baby and it just feels so unsanitary to live here. He still just sent the same pest control and they told me they are just water bugs and not a big deal…. 🙃 Then today the washing machine floods. My husband is out of town of course and I contacted the landlord around 3pm it’s now 5:30 and have not heard anything.. I cannot pull out washer and dryer myself because they are put in so tightly together and my entire laundry room and hallways are flooded and there are roaches of course and I’m so lost at what to do… we are only 23 and cannot afford this stuff ourselves and obviously that’s why we rent. At what point do I break a lease and I’m afraid of that following me, most homes we’ve looked at moving into say no broken leases..

0 Comments
2024/11/22
23:26 UTC

3

Landlord Agreed to Re-Rent After Early Termination, Now Demanding Full Remaining Rent—Need Advice in PA

Hello everyone,

I'm currently facing a challenging situation with my landlord (Cornerstone Village) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and I would greatly appreciate your advice.

I needed to terminate my lease early, even though there's no early termination clause in the agreement. Over the phone, my landlord assured me that they would list my unit on the market once I submitted my intent to vacate—which I did on August 26th. They explained that when a new tenant was found, a leasing agent would contact me to confirm, the lease would be terminated, and my security deposit would be returned. Unfortunately, I did not get this agreement in writing.

I've since moved out and returned my key to the landlord. However, they've now sent me a letter demanding a lump sum payment for all the remaining five months of rent, stating that if I don't pay by November 23rd, they'll report me to the credit bureaus.

In an effort to mitigate the situation, I found potential tenants interested in renting the unit. Yet, when these individuals reached out, the landlord informed them that the unit would be "under renovations for a while" and discouraged them from applying. It appears the landlord is actively deterring potential tenants from renting my specific unit.

Here's the pertinent section from my lease:

3. STARTING / ENDING DATES OF LEASE

a) This lease begins on January 31, 2024, and ends on March 31, 2025. This is the initial lease term.

b) After the initial lease term ends, the lease will continue month-to-month unless terminated.

c) If the tenant wants to end the lease at the end of the initial term or any time when the lease is month-to-month, the tenant must send written notice to the landlord at least 30 days before the desired end date. The notice must be sent to the landlord. If the notice is received after the first day of the month, the lease will not end until the last day of the next month. The tenant cannot end the lease before the end of the initial lease term by giving notice to the landlord.

I've also sent multiple emails to the landlord requesting evidence that they're actively seeking a new tenant, but they've not responded.

In addition, I've been actively searching for attorneys who specialize in residential landlord-tenant cases in Allegheny County and have filed a claim with the Pennsylvania Attorney General to negotiate with the landlord—so far, without response. If anyone can recommend experienced law firms that handle similar cases, I would greatly appreciate it.

My concerns and questions are:

  1. I've heard that in Pennsylvania, landlords may not be required to mitigate damages when a tenant breaks a lease early. Is this accurate, and how might it affect my situation?
  2. What steps should I take in this scenario? Is it advisable to pay the lump sum they're demanding?
  3. Do I have any legal grounds since they agreed to list my unit but seem to be refusing to mitigate damages by not renting it out?
  4. Can they report me to the credit bureaus if I don't pay the lump sum?

Any advice, guidance, or recommendations would be immensely helpful. Thank you in advance!

1 Comment
2024/11/18
04:21 UTC

4

Urgent Tenant Question Re Unlawful Detainer in Oakland, California

My landlord is attempting to evict my husband and myself from a one bedroom apartment in Oakland California that I have lived in since 2011 that is under rent control thus we pay less than half of market rate.

Landlord's attorney filed the unlawful detainer action, running an illegal business making making it a "Just Cause" unlawful detainer action. When in fact it is due to 1. retaliation: I fell on property & really hurt myself, told landlord I was going to get an attorney. 2. I reported habitability issues and within 6 weeks, came 1st cease letter.

My question though is the attorney for the plaintiff as well as the pro bono attorney on settlement hearing date, both said that, "We will not be allowed to present the fact that it's retaliation, discrimination (because we're disabled and need service animals) the habitability issues, the harassment and intimidation or the privacy violations." (landlord put up cameras after 12 years of none after 1st cease letter, that record audio five feet from my bedroom window and only installed cameras to find" material lease violations" against me and my husband. Plaintiff landlord also even moved her grown daughter into one of the three units in an attempt to find material lease violations. Plaintiff attorney has lied saying, "building is not covered by FHA Disability Protections because it's 3 units."

Nothing is owner occupied and it's run as an LLC, they tried to make me stop paying the rent made out to the LLC even.

The plaintiff's attorney & the pro bono attorney (who clearly had spoken to, said things to Plaintiff attorney that he shouldn't have such as I was not feeling well due to my disabilities, that all I wanted was go home, so attorney for landlord could wait me out, pro bono attorney said he tried to call plaintiff attorney 3 times while they left 90+ min for lunch. We could not start negotiations and that he didn't answer.

Yet 4 days later landlord attorney, was screaming at me down my throat while I'm sitting in a wheelchair telling me, "He knows FHA law & he never would have told me property wasn't covered!" 5 minutes later when we got to the parking lot I sent landlord attorney a screenshot of the email where he absolutely told me the property wasn't covered by FHA. He also said, how he" hangs out with pro bono attorney in the lounge everyday" and showed me his phone call log saying, "I wasn't called at all." Pro bono attorney also lied saying we left early and wouldn't negotiate. We were only ones who made offers, two offers, and even though I was extremely unwell and in an enormous amount of pain and had not even eaten because we didn't leave for lunch we specifically stayed 30 pass Court closing at 430 so we would not be the ones who left.

Both those 2 attorneys have said that, "We will NOT be allowed to present any other evidence or defenses or describe the retaliation, disability discrimination, numerous ADA violations, habitability problems NOTHING outside of trying to defend ourselves against the complaint that we're running an illegal business.

Mind you Oakland in 2022 passed measure V which strengthened measure EE's section specifically about illegal businesses. Making it pretty clear or trying to, that 'Just Cause' Re illegal home business is about drug manufacturing, drug sales, gang activity and or prostitution something like that.

So what law or what statute, what legal basis are these 2 attorneys referring to or thinking of that because it is a 'just cause eviction' for a 'material lease violation' that we will NOT be able to bring up any affirmative defenses or any other issues like the disability discrimination or hardship issues like fact it's going to make us homeless or force us to leave the state we've lived in since birth at 49 years old?

Does anyone know what they're talking about? Has been no use of any legal section or code or anything when they have talked to this way. Please HELP so I can research it I can't find anything from hours of searching? And the bench trial starts on Monday 11/18/2024. Thanks for any help!

TLDR: In Oakland, CA Pro Bono UD atty (at settlement hearing only) & landlords UD atty, both telling us that because UD COMPLAINT is for (BS) "Material Lease violations Resulting in a Just Cause UD", therefore we will NOT be permitted by Judge to present evidence of disabilities, LL discrimination based on disabilities, ADA violations, retaliatory nature of UD because we had exercised legal rights Re habitability & liability for trip & fall accident 4-6 wks before served 1st cease letter, both UD attorneys say, "we will ONLY be allowed to try and disprove LL accusations of running an illegal business." Where are they getting this legal information from?? Laws? What? Which? HELP!

1 Comment
2024/11/17
03:38 UTC

13

Announcing The Bushwick Tenant Union!

0 Comments
2024/11/12
19:07 UTC

2

Landlord demanding an extra months rent?

We decided to break our lease. According to the lease- breaking the lease would require 60 days notice and we’d forfeit the security deposit plus an extra months rent. We gave notice on September 19th and confirmed this all by text with the landlord and also when we would be moving out. The landlord asked if they could conduct viewings whilst we were still living there which we declined and they said that was fine. We then offered to move out earlier which was better for us so that they could conduct their viewings earlier letting her know that it’s less than 60 days notice but if they were fine with it we would do it and the landlord confirmed by text again that it would be fine even though we told her it was less than 60 days notice. We agreed to drop the keys and additional months rent in November 4th in her mailbox since she didn’t want to meet us. Suddenly while we are on our way to returning the keys and to drop November rent (the extra months rent required for breaking the lease) the landlord calls us up literally as we are posting it into her mailbox saying we had to pay December rent. We were very confused because there was no mention of this at all in the texts. They had lied to us and are trying to obtain more money from us despite literally returning the keys in that moment she had called us up. She was arguing on the phone to us saying we had to pay December rent (making it deposit + 2 months rent) because we had gone 4 days into the month. Despite agreeing by text with her to moving out the first weekend in November and no mention of being liable to pay for the entire month. Earlier in the texts she actually agreed to prorated rent (which would be 4 days). We kept insisting that we were happy to pay for the 4 extra days on top of the deposit plus the November rent but she kept saying no and was demanding a full extra months rent. We later realized her motives as she said us breaking the lease in the winter is making it very hard for her to rent the place out (obviously this is not our problem). She kept reiterating that everything she was saying was in the lease but we have checked thoroughly and there’s no mention of this in the lease just the forfeiting deposit plus additional months rent which is what we have done. We have returned the keys plus paid for the additional months rent yet she is still expecting December rent from us and has threatened legal action against us. We have text evidence of agreeing to different terms. We feel completely lied to and are stuck on what to do. We would rather not go to court and my husband wants to pay it so she can leave us the heck alone but I’m finding it hard to accept this type of injustice. Any lawyers that can provide advice would be much appreciated.

3 Comments
2024/11/08
09:36 UTC

10

Almost my entire apt complex is being evicted for nonpayment even if they paid rent

Hello. Some background I am in Kentucky. Last month we were notified by a letter on our door the apartment we live in has been sold to a new property owner. They posted a note on our door with a number to call and pay rent if you have a current, active lease. They then went on to say if you do not have a lease they will be contacting you. I do not have a lease, it expired in 2023 and I have been month to month. I had a bad feeling so I didn't try to pay rent. My neighbors all called the number and paid their rent, they paid what their rent was previously set at since no new leases were offered to anyone and no one was told of rent amounts. Days went by and we weren't contacted. I expected someone to come to my door so we could potentially sign a new lease, but rhat never happened. I thought maybe they'd sent it by mail, but no we didn't get anything. They have our contact information but have never called us. The letter said THEY will contact US. Fast forward to today, I noticed we had a letter on our door. Not just us, but just about every tenant here got one. They ALL say they are eviction notices with 7 days to vacate for nonpayment of rent. A 1 bedroom that was previously like 650 a month, they are charging 1,000 for but charging 760 for a 2 bedroom. No one signed anything agreeing to any rent changes. I did not make a rent payment this month, however, all of my neighbors did. They STILL got a nonpayment / eviction notice. We all have various random rent prices listed that no one was notified of until the eviction notice. All of the tenants are low income, a lot are on HUD or SSDI. We are all talking together to try and figure out what to do. Most of us agree we don't want to stay with the way they're acting, but there's nowhere to go. Any advice is very appreciated.

8 Comments
2024/11/08
00:08 UTC

3

Maintenance barging in??

Hi, so I currently live in an apartment where the landlord can be terrible with communication and helping us get things fixed (others in these apartments are having the same issue). We've had maintenance come in unannounced before, and it hasn't been a huge issue because I understand they have a job to do though no notice kinda irks my partner and I. But today they came pounding on my door as hard as they could about 10 times, and when I didn't answer (bc it was an unmarked vehicle and I'm home alone ATM and couldn't see who TF was at the door) they did it a second time before promptly jiggling the door handle and starting to unlock it. I got up and opened the door because I thought it would give me some more control over the situation, and it was the maintenance guy, his literal child (about 10) and another guy I didn't recognize who was arguing with the lady nextdoor. He mentioned that he didn't own or even work for this place, he owns the place across the street.

They told me they needed to get in for my breaker box bc the lady next door doesnt have power, and I told them that we don't have one and we have searched for one and there isnt one, so theyre not welcome in. They looked annoyed and my mistake was letting go of the door to grab my cat so he couldn't get out, because they went ahead and let themselves in and said "we're just going to look. You've already looked?" Of course they never found a breaker box, there isn't one in my apartment. They just said "let's go look in 10" and just.. left.

Is this normal? No notice, trying to let themselves in, bringing a child, bringing a stranger, letting themselves in when I told them no, then just leaving after digging through my closet and bathroom?? I'm not even sure if the landlord will do anything about this or if she even knows the other guy came along, as he told the lady next door "I'm just trying to fix what the owner of this place is incapable of doing, I don't even own these apartments or work here." Is there a way to report this higher than my landlord?

2 Comments
2024/11/05
23:19 UTC

5

Tenant Union Social Media - thoughts??

Hey all! I’ve been filming some one-on-one interviews for the East Lake Tenants Union (ELTU) to highlight tenants’ stories about eviction struggles and housing rights. People start watching but drop off around the 15-second mark, and I’m really not sure how to hold their attention longer or make these go viral. I’m posting here to see how this style of content resonates with people truly fighting the fight.

These are real, unfiltered stories, and I feel like they should grab people, but something isn’t clicking. I’m looking for any tips on making these interviews more engaging and getting people to stick around. Maybe I’m missing something with the hook? Or the editing? Anyone had a similar challenge or got advice on making impactful videos more watchable? Thanks in advance!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBcUEMLvXyV/?igsh=MTZmdXkwOXo2MzNjMQ==

2 Comments
2024/11/01
23:11 UTC

11

Landlord makes call to action to stop the tenant union movement

Show this to anyone who thinks there isn’t a fundamentally antagonistic contradiction between landlords and tenants.

3 Comments
2024/10/27
02:46 UTC

13

Stinky Sink

Hello,

I moved into an apartment at the beginning of October and noticed as soon as I moved in that there was a rotting/Sulphur smell coming from under the kitchen sink. I noted it on my inspection, so I have proof it was a pre-existing condition. The landlord sent a maintenance technician who said there were no leaks and the disposal is operating correctly so that I should do a series of troubleshooting to get the smell to go away myself. I've been following all of their suggestions for 3 weeks and I have had no luck. I have asked multiple times for a plumber to be sent and have been ignored. Today I was told that they would arrange for one to come if I'm willing to pay a $200 fee if the plumbers "don't find anything wrong functionally." Does this seem right?? I'm at my wits end with this. Living in a stinky apartment for weeks and I've been putting time and money towards trying to fix this issue when it was there when I moved in!

Xoxo Gossip Girl

16 Comments
2024/10/23
19:53 UTC

3

Can I leave these things behind without issue? Known bed bug issue that wasn't handled properly, waited patiently for months, gave proper 60 day notice and still paid always even when issue was still present.

I'm in the GTA, ON Canada, and the last year I've had an awful experience with bed bugs. My neighbor across from me had an awful infestation, he's been evicted and has been gone for many months. We'll, my landlord informed everyone on the floor, but did NOT treat anyone unless we saw some. I didn't for months, but my neighbors did. I finally did in April, and from that point on we had our place treated 3 times. After the third treatment, I was done as mentally I was spiraling and I couldn't handle it anymore. My landlord also gaslit me for how expensove getting treatments were, when it wasnt my fault this issue was happening, and it was negligence from not treating the entire building properly in the first place. We found a new place, deep diving realized we wouldn't be able to bring a lot with us. I gave the proper 60 days notice. Even though we felt the issue was poorly handled, I was willing to clear everything out still. Then 5 days before we moved to our new apartment, my partner found them on the bed that had an encasement on. We decided it wasn't worth the risk at all to bring my dresser next to this, and already knew we weren't bringing our bed or box spring but initially planned to remove it ourselves, now seeing that we decided we absolutely can't. I have never left much behind before, and we still removed a majority of the furniture besides these, and a bookcase. Would I get charged more money for leaving it? I feel there's no other choice, we refuse to relive this nightmare again by risking removing it. I've been told I shouldn't have been paying rent either until it was properly gone, but have the whole time, not that I'm looking to get anything back at all. We had to spend thousands on new things for our new place too.. but I'd love to hear what others who have dealt with similar experienced

1 Comment
2024/10/23
06:13 UTC

58

Brooklyn Landlord With 42 Open Violations Is Retaliating Against Tenant Association Forming

1 Comment
2024/10/11
18:15 UTC

9

Moldy condo unit Los Angeles, CA Dealing with slumlord in France

Hey everyone any input will help.

I'm dealing with a post eviction landlord issue, and dont know how to go about it.

She was represented by an attorney during the UD. we had a stipulated judgement that wed seal the case, and id move out by a certain date, and that she would give me my security deposit back within code.

The property had mold, asbestos, and even lead in the paint.

My attorney for the UD case (i had a separate atty for habitability case) assured me all will be well which didnt end up being.

So essentially she never had any intention of returning my security deposit and was just a way to get me to agree to move out. The entire time that this ordeal was going on she was in France, and only came once to do the remediation 3 months after i had reported the mold. I wrote emails all documented showing the apartment clean and i even dry cleaned the sofa to get rid of what ever asbestos particles would be in it. (rented it furnished)... before i moved out i asked for her to send a representative to conduct a walk through with me and she ignored my emails. I did my own walk through. 21 days later she sent me a photo of her handyman in the bathroom with a thumbs up sign, with a list of repairs needing to be done due to the mess the remediation company left behind. She didnt even fix the kitchen sink for me to be able to wash my plates and dishes and i was forced to leave them there.

Im now trying to take her to small claims and i have served her the papers, as well as the notice of related case. Now her attorney has sent an order asking to quash due to improper service, adding that the landlord has not been in the states since the complaint was filed..... what are my options? Service was done as substituted service on the new tenant that lives there after me. What can i do? She has a new property manager, but i cant serve him as he wasn't managing the property during my tenancy.

https://reddit.com/link/1fs3ahi/video/g8f0gch3tqrd1/player

0 Comments
2024/09/29
12:32 UTC

3

Landlord, Mike who is the main maintenance guy for apartment building, gives his cell phone number to preferred tenant Barbara, but not to another tenant, Tanya. So, Barbara has greater access to landlord/maintenance than Tanya. Is this discrimination under LA's Rent Stabilization Ordinance?

Also.

Does a lease have to explicitly say whether or not landlord will provide 24x7 maintenance?

2 Comments
2024/09/17
17:29 UTC

10

Maybe pick inspiration from labor unions. Free book as PDF...

1 Comment
2024/09/08
08:12 UTC

1

Bed bugs etc, and other "residents" behavior

LSS. I was given this particular unit on hook and bait... She literally fell on her bum running outside after showing me to the shee hole. If so the first week I was here for the first two weeks I think it was the first week I got it scabies , few months more later I got bed bugs those are predominantly a thousand times worse but also they aren't getting better and all of my furniture I need to throw in the trash now. I already lost everything to domestic violence so whatever I have left is now going it was just donated now we'll have no furniture. I don't think it's one more cares actually that's very obvious. I have a liaison I don't really think I mean they really information and they just needed to give me I don't know I never asked for this apartment and they know that they would show this to me before having me sign paperwork misleading me to think it was another unit that I would not have taken it,.. so I thought the first time for sure it was me I got and spent a few hundred dollars completely disinfecting it as well as I could. Time number two same my fault whatever.. But I don't really understand it because I've gone 30 odd years without ever having any type of parasitic infection whatsoever yet I get two of them in less than a few months?.. And then they breathe like it is illegal okay but it just seems that no one cares.. and, I'm being made fun of by her friends for making friends that live on the premises, to say the least. I let the maintenance people eat all my food they're even taking out entire plates of goodies at this point and I used to do anything just to stick it under the radar or not cause the scene or being on confrontational as I can... But then like when I'm crying and paying your bothers some other tenants? I guess I don't know but, I have really don't understand I can't just chalk up I'm on the way it was like what $9,000 or whatever you've gotten plus all the extra fees? & Let me off the lease... Because she won't move me either. And I also have children and will not and there's no way I would move them in here and now that my parents who have them currently and I usually spend half the week with them so again it's not like I even spend that much time here I've been half the week, and then this is called me to miss a appointment which is further pushes it out for a second time ironically that's kind of weird my back surgery that's really intense in which I would be returning with my children... But now it's like I don't really know,... I don't think anybody scared of anything has any incentive to follow any law but has every way shape and I don't know what's going on for my entire life like to get some help blame it on me to the point where I just automatically blame things on me.

Don't crawl space completely hot fell through and I didn't know where it was but anyway it completely just opens up in a kitchen cabinet where you're supposed to put your dishes and whatnot and I've just been dealing with that but I wasn't aware that it was like different types of species of disgusting things... I thought that maybe it was just gross cheap. Also to bring that point at point... Is that time I got the first conversation was cleaning up after the first people and like I don't know how they take so much of a deposit off you because they don't even like kind of sort of clean it like a hotel in between people and they even told me the carpet was new which it was... Like did they expect anyone to believe that? It was not supposed to be carpet. In the carpetent in the beginning of it and since they won the carpet has been pulled crunchy Dead skulls or dead bugs and shit which makes sense... I'm in Texas I don't want to get anyone in trouble I don't care what anyone's done to me that scare me and be rude to me whatever so far intimidate me I just want to move. That's not even I won't live in a place that doesn't have bugs, and actually yes a carpet because that was a she novels we all know, current section 8 help lady doesn't have much like I said, if she wasn't so obsessed with getting lunch that day that I had moved in and the young 18 or 19 year old girl who was also on my case who was going to bring it up to her... And we did bring it up to bring it up to her her meeting the landlord I'm assuming the conversation would have been like oh yeah it doesn't work out okay bye which would have at the time and annoying but whatever so one of those things happen I just don't get that upset about those things but this like I knew this was wrong and bad and gross from day one.. I knew that I was already like manipulated but then again I also know it's just best to keep my mouth shut and my dad always tells me.. they're really cheap apartments that's what you get blah blah also I didn't realize how incredibly gross and she's were because they can this is not what I was shown. And there's multiple families living here I'm the only person that has this bug issue. But then again I did, I even did some of my... She just switched out the paperwork on the apartment number but I never ever ever ever ever would have said yes I'd be interested in this. No carpet. I have a toddler with down Syndrome, unhygienic.. I'm sick to my stomach of how this is going to be made my fault I'm tired of pulling bugs out of my nose my privates might but it's been days and days and days and there's like literally no end in sight. I don't know why I would spend a bunch of money to clean everything under the false pretense it's my fault won't even like my reasoning for how I would have done that doesn't quite make sense.... But I happily call it my own family and blame it on myself not once but twice cuz I thought it was my fault.

It is the exposed crawl space that has been crushed falling through and literally has like a stuck to the floor thing of dead bugs skulls of all kinds of varieties that I don't even know yet and I had to get a proper doctor's diagnosis which is also easy just to Google it but they didn't think that the way it is seamless how awful and intense 24/7 horrible this is... Also I think I have lice but that's not even who cares about that at this point. What to do?

1 Comment
2024/09/07
20:04 UTC

3

1660 peachtree apartments Atlanta Georgia SCAM

Have you lived at 1660 peachtree st in the past 4 years ?

Well I have and it was terrible and misleading it’s not luxury not safe has mold water leaks etc.

If you’ve experienced neglect, false advertising, mold issues, water damage, delayed maintenance, security deposit scams, or unmet promises related to your lease at 1660, i want to hear from you. If you’ve had problems like overcharging, unauthorized utility charges, broken amenities, crime incidents, or issues with breaking your lease, please contact me. Text 404-796-9648 or email ANONYVOICEOFLOGIC@gmail.com to share your experience with me. This has to stop

0 Comments
2024/09/06
19:31 UTC

2

Rental Rehab Nightmare

My boyfriend and I got a beautiful piece of property in Delaware. and it so happens to be right next door to his parents.So this house we got to rent, was gutted. It's an old 3 BR trailer on 2 acres. My boyfriend is a general contractor and looked at the property and said ok. Not a problem to rehab this house. So they gave us 2 months free rent and a reduced rate of $1000 for 2 years then up to 1500. We got a budget of $3500 for materials to get the house livable. Mind you, house was gutted and in deplorable condition. Windows were broken (not glass, but casing), floors were soft, black mold, etc. no cabinets, or appliances. The 2 months came and went. So the house still isn't complete. One problem after another. Electrical, plumbing, walls with mold, etc. as he opens up walls,floors, and ceiling it's just gets bad. Well the landlords will not budge. We depleted the $3500. They said we didn't use it to get the house "just livable" they didn't authorize what we discussed as in basically stuff we "wanted" not needed to get house livable. They threatened to evict us if we don't pay Sept rent. We are not currently living at the house. We are spending countless nights n days working on the house, and our funds are going into this house like we are the ones who own it. They want their rent, plus we aren't even living there.... However, what might hurt us is that we agreed on the reduced rent. But we didn't know the underlying problems underneath after the lease was signed.

1 Comment
2024/09/06
03:33 UTC

5

Rental Transparency in Ireland

After seeing a property I rented in Ireland, go back on the market at a 30% increase, I got into tracking all property prices in Ireland over a couple of years, full map: HowMuchRent.com

Digitised all the 15K+ Court Cases, so tenants can see what issues a property has ahead of time.

Tenants can leave reviews of their place also, this is the key part : https://howmuchrent.com/r/user_reviews

What would make this better for Tenants? Hope is getting tenants to add their stories, good and bad, to share with the next people. Otherwise, these get forgotten about, and the wisdom is not carried forward.

Please do help, especially with sharing it with people living in Ireland.

0 Comments
2024/09/05
16:27 UTC

11

Court of Appeals Upholds Eugene’s $10 Cap on Application Screening Fees: A Victory for Tenants

Court of Appeals Upholds Eugene’s $10 Cap on Application Screening Fees: A Victory for Tenants

https://preview.redd.it/8y0aqhqzcold1.png?width=1452&format=png&auto=webp&s=1461f7b873ac3f29539e6dc441cd12df004265c0

(City Council meeting on July 11, 2022, when Phase 1 was passed)

Eugene, OR – In a major win for renters, the Oregon Court of Appeals has reversed a Lane County Circuit Court decision, paving the way for the City of Eugene’s ordinance that caps rental application screening fees at $10 maximum per applicant to go into effect. This decision solidifies Eugene's ability to protect its residents from excessive fees that create barriers to housing, especially for low-income individuals and families.

The ruling overturns the lower court’s judgment, which held the cap on application fees was preempted by state landlord-tenant law. The Court of Appeals, however, determined that the $10 cap can coexist with state law, affirming the City’s authority to implement local consumer protections like a cap on application fees.

“This is a huge win for renters in Eugene,” said Kevin Cronin, an organizer with the Eugene Tenant Alliance. “We call on the city of Eugene to begin enforcing this part of the city code as soon as the injunction is lifted. We recognize that this issue might not be over and we will see if the landlords appeal this decision to the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the city can start enforcement. We will continue our efforts to make the $10 cap statewide by bringing back legislation like SB 684.”

The $10 cap was a key component of the “Phase I” renter protections passed by the Eugene City Council in July 2022, aimed at addressing the significant challenges renters face in an increasingly competitive housing market. These protections also include requirements for move-in/out documentation, rental history provisions, and mandatory tenant education.

“Renters in our community often struggle with the financial burden of application fees, sometimes as high as $75/per person when searching for housing,” said Tim Morris, Executive Director of the Springfield Eugene Tenant Association. (SETA) “The $10 cap on application fees is a critical measure that ensures low-income renters, including those with Section 8 vouchers or only having Social Security Disability income, have a fair shot at securing housing. Today’s decision ensures that these burdens are kept in check, providing much-needed relief to those who are already navigating a tough rental market.”

"With the ongoing housing shortage and high competition among renters, this cap offers much-needed relief,” added Molly Goulet, a Eugene attorney who works with low-income residents and serves on SETA’s policy committee. “When someone has to apply to many rentals to find a new home, the cost can become significant. Renters are already out moving costs, a security deposit (until the first is refunded), and the time and stress of changing houses and schools. The City of Eugene has been attempting to make housing more stable and fair for renters, and this cap will help achieve that goal."

The Eugene Tenant Alliance, which has been at the forefront of advocating for these protections, remains committed to supporting and advancing tenants' rights throughout Eugene and Oregon. This ruling, which reinforces the city’s right to enact local tenant protections, sets a precedent that could inspire similar measures across the state.

“As we continue this fight, we hope this victory inspires other cities to adopt strong tenant protections of their own,” added Cronin. “Looking ahead, the Eugene Tenant Alliance is committed to advancing our campaign for Tenant Opportunity to Purchase as a proposed addition to Eugene’s Phase 3 renter protections. This initiative would give tenants the first right to buy their homes if the property is put up for sale, further empowering renters and helping preserve affordable housing in our community. We will keep working alongside state legislators and local officials to ensure all Oregonians have access to fair, affordable housing.”

Link to full court opinion

Lower Court Judgement

Link to post on ETA's website: https://eugenetenantalliance.substack.com/p/breaking-news-court-of-appeals-upholds

0 Comments
2024/08/30
04:29 UTC

4

Possible mold in carpet? Landlord refuses to replace

Hi all, looking for some advice. Recently moved into a house and immediately the air conditioner flooded the carpet. They sent someone out to clean the carpet and they did but I have suspicions that the carpet has mold as me, my roommates and even my cats are getting sick. Landlord does not want to rip up carpet as it was just replaced before we moved in even though they already know the AC flooding they were at fault for as we had not even fully moved in yet. What can I do to get them to replace the carpet? thanks

2 Comments
2024/08/21
15:05 UTC

2

Call for participants! Help advance research on race.

Are you a person of color who: 

  • Has a white parent or grandparent? 
  • Grew up in a predominately white neighborhood? 
  • Has a white significant other? 
  • Attended a predominately white institution for HS or college? 

If any of the above are true, I’d love to talk to you! 

I am recruiting people of color between the ages of 18 and 75 for 90 min interviews on Zoom about their experiences with whiteness. Eligible participants who complete the screening survey and interview will receive a $40 Target gift card. 

Go.osu.edu/warrenresearch 

Questions? Email: ASC-ptwresearchteam@osu.edu 

This study has been determined exempt by OSU IRB Protocol #2024E0158 

PI: Evangeline Warren, PhD Candidate 

Supervisor: Dr. Cynthia Colen 

https://preview.redd.it/djr2ms25iqhd1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65750e4c9550b4493a5dd2f10b877ae0fd35bb88

0 Comments
2024/08/10
00:51 UTC

2

need help deciphering judgement for an eviction appeal - MOTION FOR ENTRY/NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISMISS…

0 Comments
2024/08/06
15:25 UTC

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