No chicken for me again this month

Sunday, January 31, 2016 3:19 AM

Hi Kara,

I found a renewal request taped to my front door. FYI, this is what happens to many of the notices taped to tenants’ doors:

Photo taken 1/25/2016

But I can’t complain about the extra litter, because I’ve learned a lot from it, including the fact that some of my neighbors in 2-bedroom apartments are paying the same or less than I’m paying for a 1-bedroom.

When I signed my last renewal, I wondered why I wasn’t signing a 12-month lease. Now I realize that when someone is forced into a lease for a shorter term, it just means the apartment manager gets to increase the rent more often. When you set the renewal rate for a 12-month lease higher than all the rest (except month-to-month), you’re forcing tenants into shorter-term leases, and that results in an increase in your profits, right? I suppose it’s business as usual, but it doesn’t seem right to me.

I’m not sure what to say about the renewal rates indicated in the notice. Have you made improvements to my apartment or the property that I’m unaware of? Have you determined how much I’ve been over-charged for utilities through CUBS? Why do you think this apartment deserves a higher monthly rent? Maybe it’s for the ghost that resides in my broken toilet, which makes noise all day long, irritating the hell out of me?

Did you know that this state has the highest unemployment rate in the country? And as I’m sure you know, there was no increase in my Social Security Disability income this year. Where should I get this extra money you want to charge me for rent? Perhaps you can direct me to a place where they pay for giving blood?

It appears that the young man whom you hired to pick up trash has been promoted. Are you planning on filling this position sometime in the future? I recently filled two tall kitchen garbage bags with outside trash. (You’re welcome.) Since you’re saving money by not paying someone to pick up the trash, maybe you can deduct these services from my renewal rate?

This is what I’d like to see: A renewal lease for the same amount (or cheaper to put me in line with my neighbors), with a 12-month term, so I won’t have to go through the renewal process again for at least another year.

I await your response.

Johnna Stahl

Mon, Feb 1, 2016 5:00 pm

Hi Johnna,

I reviewed your account and you have stayed at the same rental rate since you moved in back in April of 2013. The renewal rate that is automatically scheduled for your apartment this year is set at $745, plus the $30 for your washer and dryer, for a 10 month lease term.

I was able to get a lower rate approved for you. I was able to get the base renewal price down to $730. So the new total monthly rent would be $760.00 including the washer and dryer, and I am able to do this for a 12 month lease term.

You have shared that you have some financial struggles with your income on a fixed basis, so I completely understand that any increase in your monthly rent is going to be a challenge. Unfortunately, the increases are mandated by our company and their rent increase schedules that they have in place and since your apartment has not had any rent increases since you moved in, it must have an increase on this renewal.

If this price works for you, let me know and we will have your new lease prepared. If you choose not to renew your lease, remember that you will need to give us a 30-day notice to vacate.

If you are unable to stay with us at the new rental rate, I have listed several other nearby apartment communities that are part of the Affordable Housing Program and offer rental rates that may work better with your budget.

Arroyo Villas
Ventana Ranch Apartments
Westpark Apartments
Arrowhead Ridge Apartments (Rio Rancho)

You should be able to check their prices and availability for most, if not all, of these communities online.

On another note, our porters are still employed and are on a schedule to get to every area each week. I will definitely have them do a more thorough job around your area, since you have reported that the area has been rough with regards to trash and other debris.

Please let me know what you decide with regards to your lease renewal.

Best wishes,

Kara Buchman, CAM
Community Manager
Vistas at Seven Bar Ranch Apts.
CORE Realty Holdings Management Inc.
Office (505) 792.7227
Fax (505)792.5005
vistasmanager@crhmi.com

Photo taken 2/1/2016

Tue, Feb 2, 2016 8:54 pm

Well, Kara, I hope you’re happy. I’ve just spent the last days of the month snacking on saltine crackers, and now you’re raising my rent way past my ability to pay. I wish I could afford a lawyer, but you can bet that I’ll be looking for some kind of legal help.

Do you know how expensive it is to move? Perhaps one of your employees mentioned that I traded a piece of chocolate cake for a coupon for a free haircut last month. Yes, after more than two years, I was finally able to get my haircut because I had a free coupon. I couldn’t afford to buy chicken last month, and now you’re forcing me to do the same this month.

I just don’t know what to say to this, except:

Please tell me why my neighbors in 2-bedroom apartments are paying less than me.

And I want you to respond to all of my CUBS issues. Like now.

I want my toilet fixed. Now.

I also want my washer and dryer serviced with whatever maintenance is required.

You know I have no choice but to sign another lease. I hope you’ll be happy with your new, extremely angry tenant.

Yes, I’ll be posting this on my blog. In fact, I’ll be polling my neighbors and posting how much they pay in rent and utilities, too. Yeah, we’re gonna have fun this year — I’ll be losing weight, posting pictures of the trash your employees fail to pick up, and the name of these apartments will be in a lot more Google searches.

Johnna Stahl

(These two photos and the featured photo were taken on 2/1/2016.)