Crisis/attorney fees? fundraiser signal boost: Muggonny's sister · 10:48am May 25th
Although to be fully honest about it, what they need just as much would be an expert on Texas tenant law.
I'm going to link Muggonny's original blog on this, and I'll bring in the GoFundMe link at the end. But right now, I want to quote the text.
On May 24, 2024, my sister -- who asked to not be named -- was issued a 3-day notice to vacate. Although it is common in most states to issue a 30-day notice if the tenant fails to fulfill lease requirements, in some it is legal to issue a 3-day notice, such as Texas.
During the month of April, my sister missed a lot of work because her daughter was sick. She is a single mother and is already fighting tooth and nail in a custody battle. She approached the apartment's office and told management about her situation. They were very empathetic and prepared to help her every step of the way, which made for a big shock when they posted the notice on her door.
It's not just her they're doing this to. Many tenants have been evicted recently for not paying rent on time. This can be attributed to the rising rent costs. Last month, there was an elderly woman living beneath my sister, who was only paying $500 a month. Her rent was drastically raised to a staggering $900 and was forced out of her apartment when she was unable to pay. Upon signing the lease, my sister was told she'd be paying $700/mo. She's now paying $902/mo.
I happen to live in the same complex as her and went through a similar situation a few months back. However, my situation was far less infuriating. I was three months behind on rent, and they only *threatened* me with a 30-day notice. I owed far more than she did, so why is it that she's only getting three days to come up with rent?
I told her to talk to our grandfather, who is willing to help in situations like this. However, she's very self-conscious about asking family for help. My second advice to her was that she contact a lawyer. While the apartment managers appear to be within their legal rights, there is the possibility that a legal loophole can be found. If one can't be found, and if she can't pay rent, and if the managers don't suddenly have a change of heart, I told her she can move in with me.
Whether or not this happens, I want to make sure she has security. Money to fall back on when she needs it. The donation goal is based on what she owes for last month's rent, this upcoming month's, as well as savings. If we are able to reach the goal of $3000, I'd like to raise it for added security.
Thank you.
I've spoken to Muggonny and advised them to check their local laws, along with trying to find an agency which handles this kind of issue. I don't know what Texas has in terms of tenant rights (and the three-day notice suggests it isn't much), but a lot of states have statutes on the books which limit rent increases to a certain percentage per year. The example given for what happened to the elderly resident would seem to violate just about all of them. It's possible that the rental company is trying to run under that most classic of American business tactics: it's not illegal until someone calls you out in court.
If anyone here is a Texas resident, or just has a deft hand on the search bar and a black-belt in Google-Fu, please feel free to share the information. However, it's best to post any such data on Muggonny's blog comments.
With that said... until/unless a lawyer is found and intervenes, the rental company would seem to be holding all the cards. And while there's a chance of a free tenant advocate out there somewhere, the average attorney will want to be paid.
Accordingly, here's the link to the GoFundMe for Muggonny's sister.
As always, act at your own discretion, of your own ability and will.
...oh, and if you are or know an attorney who's licensed to practice in Texas, sing out.
(It would be incredibly distasteful to post a Ponicon drive link in this blog. Therefore, there isn't one. See how easy that was?)
I'm on Social Security. We get a COLA in January. Thus, landlords, utilities, etc. typically raise their fees in January.
Last January, I got hit with a +25% rent increase. (Completely legal here in Phoenix, Az.)
Muggony, tell your sister "Pride is a luxury. 'Poor' = 'can't afford luxuries'. Get your grandfather to help." Most parts of the USA have hopelessly inadequate homeless shelters. From experience, I know you do NOT want to go into one.
5782817
Got to be honest, I'm not seeing how this is a crisis/emergency to beg strangers on the Internet for thousands of dollars for either. Her situation sucks, but she has multiple sources of family help readily available. Her grandfather is willing to help but she doesn't want to take it, Muggony is offering her a place to live in the same complex which would already be cheaper than her previous rent if not free, and living with any family member would be a huge help in caring for her child if she's missing work due to said child being sick.
Finding beneficial legal loopholes in the contract or residency laws, or finding a viable attorney in the area, most definitely. But she's not looking at being homeless, on the street, or starving to death without our donations. Pride is a luxury she can't afford, as you said.
First off, whatever people can help her with, they should do it. If she is able to get help from family members as other people have pointed out, she should take it right away.
Secondly, if people are interested in preventing this for people in general in the future (if you don't mind me getting on my soapbox for a second), there are things that they can campaign for that can help a lot. The obvious things are universal Section 8 housing aid (something that the current U.S administration has tried to get through) and well designed rent control, but there's also another thing that helps a lot as well.
Allowing the construction of much more housing: https://www.upjohn.org/research-highlights/new-apartment-buildings-low-income-areas-decrease-nearby-rents
"In a new working paper and policy brief, Evan Mast and Brian Asquith of the Upjohn Institute and Davin Reed of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank show new market-rate buildings lower nearby rents 5 to 7 percent and cause more people from lower-income neighborhoods to move in."
Adjusting land use regulations to allow the construction of much more housing lowers rents for everyone. Even if the units are market rate, they lower the number of well off people competing with not so well off people for older units and thus lower rents. If you have the time and energy and want something to campaign for, this would be very good.
Good luck to Muggony's sister! I hope she gets or accepts the help that she needs now.