Joe
Rochester,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, March 07, 2005
I realize this original issue was posted long ago, but the high-rent topic is still relevant today. I advise anyone facing a high-rent situation to consider purchasing a new or used mobile home in a park instead of renting an apartment. The cost of a new mobile, plus lot rent, is generally cheaper than paying $600 or $700 a month for an apartment. Used mobile homes are be purchased quite cheap, depending on their age. In the end, you own it and have something to sell. You never "own" an apartment. There are many nice mobile home parks on the outskirts of major cities. All are not "parks for trailer trash". There is very little maintenance to a mobile home. Search for decent parks where the homes aren't parked right on top of one another. Many parks give you a considerable yard space, some even more than those who own city houses. Mobile home parks have a bad reputation, and most don't deserve it. I've lived in a mobile home park on the outskirts of Rochester for 30 years and I love it. It's a decent place where the neighbors respect one another. My present mobile home was paid off years ago, leaving me only a lot payment of 285.00 a month. I do not pay for water, garbage pick-up or taxes. If something goes wrong with the underground plumbing, septic system or leech field, the park owner handles the cost of repair. Why spent $6-700 a month on something you will never own? Why live by someone else's rules when you can own your own home for less money? Please...if you're faced with high-rent, look into purchasing your own mobile home.
Megan
Milwaukee,#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 12, 2004
Hi Robert - I am so sorry that you have been treated so shabbily. I wanted to elaborate on one point in your piece - about the negative response from the Fair HOusing Council. Please try again. Indeed, I am sure that this issue is outdated by now, but there is recourse to be taken, AND DISCRIMINATION CAN AND IS PROVEN TO OCCUR EVERY DAY BY FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS. "Testers" are sent to a property, matched very closely on all socioeconomic conditions except the one in question - in this instance, race - and very meticulously document the way that they are treated. When they are treated differently, the Fair Housing Organization works alongside the US Department of Justice to build a case. The fines are steep - up to $11,000 for a FIRST OFFENSE, and all the way past $50,000 for a 3rd offense and beyond. Other penalties, such as diversity training, ongoing checks, and reimbursement to the complainant - you - are definitely possible. I know this because I am such a tester. I encourage you to call your local Fair Housing agency again - if they truly won't do anything for you (this just sounds so off-base), contact the National Fair Housing Advocate at FairHousing.com and report the agency. Even if you don't care anymore, do this for someone who will face these cretins in the future. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!
Megan
Milwaukee,#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 12, 2004
Hi Robert - I am so sorry that you have been treated so shabbily. I wanted to elaborate on one point in your piece - about the negative response from the Fair HOusing Council. Please try again. Indeed, I am sure that this issue is outdated by now, but there is recourse to be taken, AND DISCRIMINATION CAN AND IS PROVEN TO OCCUR EVERY DAY BY FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS. "Testers" are sent to a property, matched very closely on all socioeconomic conditions except the one in question - in this instance, race - and very meticulously document the way that they are treated. When they are treated differently, the Fair Housing Organization works alongside the US Department of Justice to build a case. The fines are steep - up to $11,000 for a FIRST OFFENSE, and all the way past $50,000 for a 3rd offense and beyond. Other penalties, such as diversity training, ongoing checks, and reimbursement to the complainant - you - are definitely possible. I know this because I am such a tester. I encourage you to call your local Fair Housing agency again - if they truly won't do anything for you (this just sounds so off-base), contact the National Fair Housing Advocate at FairHousing.com and report the agency. Even if you don't care anymore, do this for someone who will face these cretins in the future. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!
Megan
Milwaukee,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 12, 2004
Hi Robert - I am so sorry that you have been treated so shabbily. I wanted to elaborate on one point in your piece - about the negative response from the Fair HOusing Council. Please try again. Indeed, I am sure that this issue is outdated by now, but there is recourse to be taken, AND DISCRIMINATION CAN AND IS PROVEN TO OCCUR EVERY DAY BY FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS. "Testers" are sent to a property, matched very closely on all socioeconomic conditions except the one in question - in this instance, race - and very meticulously document the way that they are treated. When they are treated differently, the Fair Housing Organization works alongside the US Department of Justice to build a case. The fines are steep - up to $11,000 for a FIRST OFFENSE, and all the way past $50,000 for a 3rd offense and beyond. Other penalties, such as diversity training, ongoing checks, and reimbursement to the complainant - you - are definitely possible. I know this because I am such a tester. I encourage you to call your local Fair Housing agency again - if they truly won't do anything for you (this just sounds so off-base), contact the National Fair Housing Advocate at FairHousing.com and report the agency. Even if you don't care anymore, do this for someone who will face these cretins in the future. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!
Megan
Milwaukee,#6Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 12, 2004
Hi Robert - I am so sorry that you have been treated so shabbily. I wanted to elaborate on one point in your piece - about the negative response from the Fair HOusing Council. Please try again. Indeed, I am sure that this issue is outdated by now, but there is recourse to be taken, AND DISCRIMINATION CAN AND IS PROVEN TO OCCUR EVERY DAY BY FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS. "Testers" are sent to a property, matched very closely on all socioeconomic conditions except the one in question - in this instance, race - and very meticulously document the way that they are treated. When they are treated differently, the Fair Housing Organization works alongside the US Department of Justice to build a case. The fines are steep - up to $11,000 for a FIRST OFFENSE, and all the way past $50,000 for a 3rd offense and beyond. Other penalties, such as diversity training, ongoing checks, and reimbursement to the complainant - you - are definitely possible. I know this because I am such a tester. I encourage you to call your local Fair Housing agency again - if they truly won't do anything for you (this just sounds so off-base), contact the National Fair Housing Advocate at FairHousing.com and report the agency. Even if you don't care anymore, do this for someone who will face these cretins in the future. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!