Discrimination complaint
A 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran and only section 8 tenant in the 4 unit complex. Less than 6 months ago I was living next door to Robert.
I was unemployed for approximately 1 year and having trouble making rent so I took in a woman to share the apartment.
The woman stayed with me for about a month and a half when another tenant whose apartment shares gas and electric meters with the laundry room downstairs from his apt (he receives a rent allowance in exchange) began complaining to me about the woman using the laundry facility. After explaining my financial situation I offered to compensate him. He initially took $20, returned it saying "I'll never bring this up to you again. I understood this to mean an act of kindness but what he really meant was he'd be taking it up with the landlord as shortly after a meeting was set up at which time I was offered a new lease with increased rent plus additional tenant fee(s) as well as nearly $600 in additional charges to compensate the other tenant. I elected to move but continued to be Robert's caregiver.
I need to add that this tenant and I had bad blood from the start as he asked me out but I blew him off shortly after moving in and he would constantly turn the lights to the courtyard off (those lights also on his electric bill), as well as turn off the laundry room lights and washing machine.
A few months after I moved, Robert was served with a 60 day eviction notice for the unit and two garages he rents at $135 per garage, utilizing a Cal Civil Code; no reason eviction, claiming she would be moving her father in. Because of Robert's disabilities; coupled with his dire financial status after 30 days he requested a meeting in an attempt to change their minds. They stipulated to him that he can stay so long as he fires me and fixes his van so the mufflers are not so loud.
I believe this to be retaliation because in order to get my deposit upon move out I threatened the landlord with Code Enforcement (I called but never followed up), because of termite infestation, bad plumbing, the shared meters, heater and garbage disposal never fixed (2 years), mold in shower, my electric meter tied into rented garage below and a host of other offenses. The landlord was quick to agree to my request for deposit minus cleaning fee so long as no major damage was found. There was not.
Last month a male friend was visiting Robert out by his vehicle when the other tenant was arrived home. He asked his friend if the door to the apartment was closed. I was in the apartment, Robert was aware but his disability includes a very bad memory. His friend answered "it's ok Stella is in the apartment". Well yesterday he received a text from the landlord telling him to fire me or else.