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Landlord Demands ‘100%’ Of Stimulus Money For Back Rent; Later Says It’s Misunderstanding
One Los Feliz renter received this letter from landlord ROM Residential, which said tenants on a rent deferral plan needed to turn over "100%" of any government stimulus money towards back rent, within five days of receiving it.
Councilmember David Ryu blasted the notice, saying in his own letter that he was "extremely alarmed" and that ROM Residential's letter "demonstrates a lack of empathy." Ryu wrote that the stimulus provision was not correct and that the company's "attempt to extract the meager support working Angelenos might receive right now is shameful."
ROM Residential says it's all a misunderstanding — the letter was a draft and it has been revised to take out the language about stimulus money (you can read the revised version here).
In a phone interview, ROM Residential partner Leeor Maciborski told LAist, "We were really frustrated with the councilman's letter. It was unnecessarily harsh, he could have just called or emailed up and asked what was going on. It took that letter completely out of context, it wasn't meant for circulation. It was just unfair."
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Maciborski added that "about a third" of renters in the company's 1,500 units had asked for rent deferment.
We collected several COVID-19-related letters from landlords — you can read those here.
MORE ON RENTING IN SOCAL
- Deceit, Disrepair and Death Inside a Southern California Rental Empire
- Read The Letters SoCal Landlords Are Sending As Rent Comes Due In This Pandemic
- LA Landlords Are Urging Renters To Pay Online. Here's Why That Might Be Illegal
- Rent Is Due. And Lots Of Small Businesses In Southern California Can't Pay It
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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