Protection for Renters?
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2010-03-18/protection-renters
It's an annual uncertainty in the life of a renter: Will my bills go up next year, and if so, will I still be able afford my place? A new tenants report in Montgomery County shows growing concern about spiking rents and unexpected evictions. Kojo examines a proposal to stabilize costs in this part of the Washington region, and explores why some local politicians and landlords aren't eager to support it.
Guests
Matt Losak
Chair, Montgomery County Tenants Work Group
Marc Elrich
Member, Montgomery County Council (D- At Large)
Shaun Pharr
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington
Comments
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Housing instability is definitely a major issue in this area. However instability can be caused by a landlord's foreclosure. My family of four recently went through 2 miserable years due to our landlord's foreclosure and subsequent bankruptcy. A week after moving in someone came to the property to serve him. We were not allowed to move out as this would be breaking our lease. Breaking our lease would have opened us up for all the unpaid rent (forget the security deposit, you can sue a bankrupt party but get in line).
We wanted out! It was a miserable and upsetting time. We had very little power to do anything about the instability due to his poor financial decisions (he is a mortgage broker). The tenet rights laws do nothing to protect tenets from these situations. The landlord and his Realtor should never been allowed to list the property (as he knew he was in financial trouble). Tenets beware, ask for verifiable financial information on your landlord!