Tammy
St. Petersburg,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, June 09, 2003
First, I was strongly advised by several St. Petersburg Police Officers to move ASAP. Although Susan Peelmam assured me I was moving into a SAFE area, the Police told me there had been crack houses in that neighborhood for a long time! Miss Peelman refused to let me out of my lease even with the FULL knowledge that me and my daughter and baby were being threatened by drug dealers. Unlike yourself, I am unable to respect a human being who values money more than the safety of children. Fortunately, you were wrong - I did find a nice apartment in spite of Miss Peelman's lack of conscience. As for my credit record - it was already damaged long ago. If you are uninformed, let me explain - it is not easy to raise 3 children alone and with ZERO child support while trying to get through college alone. I made the choice to fly solo vs. depend on an abusive man to pay my way - yet I am criticized by "anonymous" people like you for trying to do the best thing for my children. Perhaps you were reading another complaint when you said I "cried foul" - this is untrue. I never took Miss Peelman to court because I know Florida's history with numerous slumlords and knew I wouldn't stand a chance against a nonexistent 'justice system' which only protects the slumlords. Believe me, I know for a fact Miss Peelman is not operating on "a thin margin" and I'm sorry you felt the need to lower yourself by calling me a "deadbeat tenant". This I am not. I only asked to be treated fairly which I was not. I made the mistake of trusting a landlord who lied in her lease - this in no way makes me a deadbeat "anything". It only makes me a litlle less naive when dealing with landlords again.
Anon
Miami,#3Consumer Comment
Wed, January 01, 2003
If you believe you were unfairly evicted, I would encourage you to appear in court for the eviction proceedings, if your landlord is pursuing the matter. It sounds like she is finalizing the legal judgement, which will appear on your credit report. You will have a very difficult time finding a new apartment or getting new credit in the future. Courts will not usually consider any sort of "discrimination" "retaliation" etc. type defense if a tenant is owing on past due rent. You cannot refuse to pay your rent and then cry foul if you are evicted. Landlords have thousands invested in apartments, many operate on thin margins and cannot afford to carry a deadbeat tenant. Tenants are entitled to have appliances fixed promptly, the landlord cannot "self-help" evict, such as turning off your water heater. Landlords do have the right to enter units with adequate notice for repairs. You are out of the apartment now, the next step is to find out how to protect your credit to the best of your ability. If you have legitimate complaints with the unit, bring proof, witnesses, other tenants, etc. to the court hearings for the judge to see.