So I'm definitely moving...

[neotoma]

I got home a bit early today, and was able to talk to an actual manager-type person at the my apartment's office.

I got *three* repeats of "we're trying to raise the rent of current residents to the market rate that we charge new tenants". That's their justification for raising the rent 11%.

When I pointed out that when I had received a renewal letter in error in December, and *that* had only stated my rent would go up $20, she said "well, rates fluctuate all the time -- we're raising our rate to reflect the current market price" and "we're legally allowed to raise rents 30%".

Uhm, if the current market price of this place is $1,300 a month, then a lot of people should be investing in townhomes and condos, because the local ones go for about $1,400/month. And you'd have a lot more control over the place.

So I'm definitely moving. I've got find a place -- looking near Takoma, Silver Spring, and Forest Glen Metro stations, though other suggested areas in MD near public tranportation would be helpful -- and a mover, since I'm not asking my friends to help me move again. It was awful in July last time, it will be awful again. I can pay some strapping young men to haul boxes; I'll just ask my friends to help me weed out the extraneous stuff that I should get rid of -- clothes I don't wear, books that I don't read, things like that.

Comments

[chaos-rose.livejournal.com]

Check out Craigslist - I know a lot of people who have had excellent luck there.

[imadra-blue.livejournal.com]

I wish you luck with finding a place! It sucks that your landlords are pulling this. They're notoriously greedy. :(

[twistedchick]

Did you call the county about this? The office droid does not seem to know legality from a hole in the ground. Do you still have a copy of the letter in December to show them?

::hoping you'll move closer::

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

I haven't contacted the county yet -- I'm waiting until after I find a place. I'm so fed up with the trouble just contacting a manager (I had this problem last year in July *and* this year in January) that I want to get away from this management company at the very least.

My next landlord might not be *better*, but at least they'll be different.

Hey, if you know of any places in your area that are safe and not $1,200 a month for a 1br w/den sort of size, I'll be happy to move there.

[axiom_of_stripe]

aw, man. it sucks that you have to move like that -- it sounds like even if you could legally smack 'em down it's not a nice place to live anymore. :( (although it will be nice to have you closer in town, if you find a spot nearer! are you definitely looking to stay north/maryland?)

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm definitely wanting to remain in Maryland. While there are biotech jobs in VA, the ones I know I are in MD, and frankly, the laws in VA scare me.

[insptr-penguin.livejournal.com]

Moving is always such a hassle. It's really incredible that they're making such a huge change in the rate...
But hopefully you can find somewhere nice in those areas -- they can all be nice places to live, especially in terms of the Metro!

[tricksterquinn.livejournal.com]

I want to remind both of us that I still seem to have a loom of yours, as I came across it when putting my air conditioner back in on Friday night, though I think I thought I'd returned it a while back. *baffled shrug*

Good luck with the moving!

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

I think I still have your pink shawl, too.

[tricksterquinn.livejournal.com]

pink shawl?