"I'm not getting any answers. I need to know what my options are. My back is against the wall,"
This comment was one of several calls made to the City Council Wednesday, for assistance from La Mirage tenants who have been told they must move out of their rental units due to an apparent real estate scam that resulted in the foreclosure of the entire complex.
"I don't have any place to go," the tenant continued, stating that she has four children, one of whom is graduating from high school this year. She proceeded to break into tears as she explained that the loss of her home is coupled with the recent loss of her job.
A group of six La Mirage tenants came before the Council during its meeting Wednesday, asking for any aide their elected representatives could offer, on the recommendation of a San Francisco-based tenants' rights groups, Tenants Together.
The city is sympathetic to the current displacement occurring in the La Mirage complex, the Council indicated, and will continue to work with these tenants. But ultimately there remains little the City can currently do since this is a "landlord/tenant issue."
Still, "We'll do what we can," Mayor Steve Morgan told the tenants, "Don't hesitate to call."
Economic Development Director Gary Parsons agreed that city staff will continue "working to ease this problem. This is a most unfortunate situation."
Staff could provide the La Mirage residents in attendance with a list of owners of various units, and has been working with a tenants right group as well as tracking the string of foreclosures in local newspapers.
The city attorney advised residents Wednesday, to seek formal legal council, and to continue paying rent as before since "non-payment can be grounds for early dismissal."
Tenants told the Council Wednesday, that they are being asked to clear out of their units in La Mirage despite the fact that they have faithfully paid their rent each month for years. Many report that they are being offered "cash for keys" if they agree to move before the 60-days stated in law.
One tenant says she was offered $3,000 if she vacated the property in 10 days, $1,500 if she did so in 30. This is despite advice received from Tenants Together which suggests that in this situation the 60-day period should be honored and deposits returned.
But in the city's tight rental market even 60 days is not sufficient time, the tenants remarked, stating they have serious concerns about finding new homes for their families.
The most frustrating part of the situation is the many unanswered questions that remain as their units are sold to various banks, the tenants indicated.
For instance, should they continue to pay rent? And if so to whom? Yet, these tenants report that their neighbors are continuing to receive three day notices if they don't pay rent.
And according to these tenants the complex is "still moving people in."
"It's a big mess," remarked one tenant - a former New Orleans resident who says that the local rental market is showing, "the save dynamics as Katrina."
"It's atrocious," she continued, "We're having our own little mini-Katrina as far as rents. That's fraud. These people should be taken to court."
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