Problems with apartment managers

Ask a Lawyer

Question

Country: United States of America
State: FloridaIVE BEEN LIVING @ MY PREVIOUS ADDRESS ABOUT 1 YR AND A HALF AND MY RENT WAS $0.00 RENT ON THE CONTRACT AGREEMENT. IN THAT TIME FRAME IVE HAD 4 DIFFERENT MANAGERS. THE LAST MANAGER ASSIGNED CURRENTLY FILED FOR EVICTION. WITHOUT THE 30 DAY NOTICE REQUIRED IN THE FLORIDA LAW,THEY GAVE ME 15 DAYS INSTEAD.WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED ON THE DATE STATED TO BE ON MY DOOR. THE REASON OF EVICTION THAT I OWED SUPPOSIBLY $250.00 A MONTH ,WHICH I WAS NEVER TOLD OR IT WAS NEVER AN AGREEMENT. I WAS ON LOW INCOME. MEANING,NO INCOME. NOW, THEY ARE TAKING ME TO COURT FOR THE BACK PAY OF WHAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE MY MONTHLY RENT. SINCE THEN IVE HAD TROUBLE ON WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO,VERY TRAUMATIZED.WITH A 5 MONTH OLD SON. I AM AMERICAN HISPANIC,THIS WOMEN IS CAUCASION AMERICAN,IN A CITY WHERE I WOULD BE CONCIDERED A MINORITY. THE LADY SPOKE WITH ME OVER THE PHONE TELLING ME THAT SHE IS THE NEW MANAGER AND SAID" I AM THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO GET RID OF ALL THE TRASH FROM HERE NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES,AND THAT INCLUDES YOU." TO ME,SOUNDING VERY RACIAL. PREVIOUSLY TO THIS,NOT SEEING IT COMING,MY HUSBAND ,WHOM WHICH I AM CURRENTLY NOT WITH, AND I WERE @ A LOCAL BAR,WHICH WE RECOGNIZED OUR FIRST MANAGER, WHOM WHICH WAS VERY SWEET AT THE TIME OF MANAGMENT. WE ASKED HER WHY DID SHE LEAVE AND SHE STATED THAT THE EMPLOYER WANTED HER TO DO ILLEGAL,AND FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES TOWARD MINORITY TENANTS THAT STOOD IN THE APARTMENTS,WHICH SHE DISAGREED WITH AND QUIT. INVOLVING RACIAL COMMENTS.LITTLE DID I KNOW.NOW PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER. I FEEL VIOLATED AND I WANT TO TAKE ACTION BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?DO I REALLY HAVE A CASE? AND IF I DO,WHAT WOULD THIS TYPE OF CASE BE CONSIDERED, DISCRIMINATION? RACISM? OR WHAT? PLEASE HELP ME.

Answer

Based on what you say here, you could probably file suit against them (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to their behavior... You may also report them to your state attorney general's office and/or dept of housing. It seems they may be violating race laws, and their agreement with you generally...