AHHH! The raised my RENT AGAIN!
By emarie
@emarie (5440)
United States
April 1, 2008 9:43pm CST
Okay...I know its normal...I know its done, but this is ridiculous.
I have a 1 income family with 2 adults and 2 very needy growing boys. TOTAL 4
I moved into a 1 BEDROOM apartment because we couldn't find anything else we could afford at the time and we needed someplace to stay. We started a little bellow $700 like around $790 or so. Not bad. We could do it, my husband just started a new job and we were expecting another baby.
A few months after that it raised. not too long after that it raised again, then again. I've lived here for almost 4 years and it has raised 5 times. AND NOW THEY'RE DOING IT AGAIN. from $930 to $1000
This is supposed to be LOW COST HOUSING...LOW COST MY A$$!
I don't know what to do. I don't work, my husband makes decent money, but we are barley making ends meet. We had to buy another car because I needed it and now all of this. Just when I thought we could catch up and live comfortably SOMEONE pulls something like this!!!
With this economy like this I CAN'T GET A DAMN BREAK!
I wish I could have a house or something. I don't really WANT to move too far because my son loves his school and I don't want him to start over again someplace new. I don't know what to do. We HAVE to pay it I guess if we don't want to move out. There's really no where else. And its so cramped as well my husband sleeps on the couch so my son can have a bed.
Right now I'm so pissed but I can't show it for my kids. In my head I'm SCREAMING OUT LOUD and I'm trying to hide my tears from them...its so hard. What can I do?
I Can't get a part time job because the cost of the job would pay for any type of Day Care. I make some over the internet but its not constant. I can work even harder but thats it.
Is there anything I can do in the state? I live in So Cal and this is under the California Tax Allocation Committee and something about the Maximum Allowable Rents and Maximum Income Levels.
Should I contact them complaining? Or should I ask the Manager of the property (who I hate talking to because he's a total d*ck who took 3 years to give a new ac (or even fix it and 1 month to fix our oven and stove)?
Help if you can...much appreciated!
1 person likes this
8 responses
@ssh123 (31071)
• India
2 Apr 08
It is always better to work hard during younger days and buy an independent house or a flat rather than paying rent everymonth. I lived in a rented hour for 12 years and the amount I had paid as rent could have as well purchased a house with little more savings.
In India, the landowners (property owners) enhance the rent by 5% once a year. But once the tenant leaves the house, they enhance the rent of the house by almost 100%. This is because there is shortage of dwelling units due to influx of population into the city and also more and mroe families which were living together are looking out for independent living.
There is no strict law (which was there a decade ago - Rent Control Act), but now the laws are in favour of landowners.
@emarie (5440)
• United States
2 Apr 08
I would so be happy with a 5% increase every year but this is not every year, its like twice a year sometimes. I know with what we paid over the long run we could probably get something, but the area we're in is really hard. I mean, my mother is still paying for the condo we lived in when I was younger. My credit rating and my husbands are bad and we don't know how much we would get approved for. There are cheaper places but its far away and I would want to stay in the area i'm in or at least in the city. my sister is about 2 cities away (30min) and i watch her children when she works (another reason why i can't get a part time job). She does give me money every month, BUT that goes to bills mostly.
I know my friend in another state already purchased a house! She wants be to come over, but its in Arizona and I can't be that far away from my nephews since I'm the only aunty in the area and my sister is my kids only aunty. The rest of mine and my husbands family is in Hawaii. So i can't see them because i can't afford to take a plane to see them. Can't move back because its worse there for housing and the economy is just as bad. i moved out because it was bad. and now almost everywhere is bad. DAMN!
But thanks for the feedback =)
@ssh123 (31071)
• India
2 Apr 08
I thought the unreasonable escalation is found only in India, US is no better.
On the contrary, I stayed with a retired bank employee's house on rent. He was so good, for 5 years he did not rise the rent. In fact two to three times, I reminded him and later he said whatever extra I want to pay, I can add it.His house was no nicely built, it was worth Rs.10,000/ (approx. $250) but I was asked to pay only Rs.6,000/-. He later said he did not care for money but cared for type of people.
@biwasaki (1745)
• United States
3 Apr 08
I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. It seems that more and more middle-class working families are subjected to this treatment and it is so unfair!
Is there a state agency that would help you out with rent? Like HUD? Even if you think you might not qualify, you should go in and apply for assistance anyway. If you're expecting a child, that child counts towards your family size so if you didn't qualify previously, you may be eligible now.
@emarie (5440)
• United States
3 May 08
I went to get the application, but they said to get on the waiting list can take around 5 YEARS. but I'll still send it in. My neighbor is on HUD and when we looked all the things up it said we'll qualify, but its a long list.
My husband has to fill it out and we have to mail it in. Since I'm not the working head, he has to do it. So I have to get his but in gear.
@cwgrlsarefun (1581)
• United States
15 Apr 08
Wow five times that is a lot of times to raise the rent you would think that since they have had you in there for some time now that they would want for you to stay there and not leave. I would try and talk with the landlord and see if there is something that can be done about raising the rent all the time on you. I would also contact St. Vincent De Paul and get your names on the list for affordable housing and there are jobs that you can do at home as long as you have internet. Contact West work at home LLC. It is for phone operators and you can pick your own hours to work for them so that you do not have to pay for daycare. I worked for them for over a year but then moved to a state that they do not hire out of. Good luck.
@hopeful327 (189)
• United States
2 Apr 08
Ugghh... that is very frustrating!!!!!!! :( I'm sorry you're going through that.
I'm sure you've thought of this, but have you tried contacting Habitat for Humanity and applying through their program? I know the chance of getting to buy a home with them is pretty slim, but you might try... you never know...
Also you might be able to get a job working from home where you don't have to get daycare? Have you thought about starting a vacation dog sitting business (well that wouldn't be from home but you could bring your kids with you)? Or doing childcare out of your home? You might also look on www.wahm.com for ideas.
((HUGS))
@emarie (5440)
• United States
3 May 08
I do some work at home. I'm an ameture Web Designer I guess you would call it. I made a little bit. but its not consistent. I'm trying though if anyone wants to help out www.emarielayouts.com But I'll look at that site.
And I think that HFH program should be reserved for those who really DON'T have somewhere to live. I know I complain, but I do realize there ARE other people who have it worse. Me and my husband have even been finding something to donate to charities every once in a while.
UPDATE!!
Bad enough they raised it to $1000 but I just got a notice today saying that next month it will be raised another $10 ....WTF!!!!!!!
I am so ready to PUNCH the damn manager. I'm sure he's doing something illegal...my husband was looking in on it. We've had so much problems with him, but its hard to move right now. So many circumstances its not even funny.
@bluemoon4ever (288)
• South Africa
9 May 08
i am sorry that you are going through this. I always think (or all of us do) that the US Government is taking everything for its people. But now it seems it is not the case.
Here in South Africa we are currently experincing the same problem. While the pay is so low and the inflation is so high. The landlords here have the right to increase the rent at least once a year by 10%. But if it is really necessary they can increase it more than once in a year accordingly. some owners can increase the rent 3 times a year. How can they do that? Well, they increase the rent to the level they know you cannot afford, then you are forced to move out, arn't you? When the new tenant moves in, the rent has already been increased.
@bluemoon4ever (288)
• South Africa
9 May 08
sorry that you have to go through this. I always (or we all do) think that USA is such a paradise that the Government takes care of everything what the people needs, obviously now it does not seem to be the case.
In South Africa, we are experiencing the same thing, the pay is low and the inflation is so high that we barely make a living. The landlords have the right to increase the rent at least once a year and a minimum 10%. But if the inflation is so high that year that he can increases 'accordingly', this is where the tricks plays. If the landlord has 3 tenants that year he can increase the rent 3 times a year. Well then you will say, how can he have 3 tenants in a year? It is simple, he increases the rent to the level that he knows you cannot afford, then you are forced to leave dont you?this is how he chases you out without say the word!
But there are some decent owners still, he will only increase the rent when it is really necessary, the owners here have to pay heavy levies on houses and flats also. And the levies are increasing according to the inflation also.
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
2 Apr 08
i think you need to talk to the property owner, because im renting a house too, i stay almost 5 years now but they raised the rent just once & never happen again till know, i will be good if your going to check with them.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
6 Apr 08
I would try to talk to the landlord. I hope they can help you out. Is Mylot the only online site that you are working with right now? I am joned with several sites that pay me. I know that doesn't help you out much now but all of these sites pay and you may be able to help your family out more. I have to work all of these sites to help my family too. It is such a struggle but online work is better for you so you won't have to pay childcare and such or the high gas prices. All of my sites are listed in my profile on my blog if you would like to take a look at them. I feel sorry for you. I truly do!
