When I was a child, my parents were poor. That was OK because almost everyone in my little Oklahoma town was poor, and we all told each other that we were in the middle class. By the time I graduated high school, my parents had clawed their way into the actual middle class, and they … Read more
Purchasing a home may be the biggest financial commitment you’ll ever make, so it makes sense to carefully consider the upsides and downsides of buying vs. renting. Stay tuned for a quiz that might help you decide. Rent or Buy a Home: Pros and Cons Advantages of Renting • Your landlord is typically responsible for … Read more
A California-based company that provides background reports to property management companies will pay $4.25 million as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations the firm failed to follow reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy of its reports about potential tenants. In a complaint filed by the Department of Justice on behalf … Read more
An Arkansas prosecutor has been fired after speaking out against the state’s criminal eviction statute in an October ProPublica story. Garland County deputy prosecutor Josh Drake was let go from his position on Oct. 31 by Michelle Lawrence, the prosecuting attorney. Arkansas is the only state where landlords can file criminal charges rather than civil … Read more
It was bad enough when Jazmon Allen lost her waitressing job in March at a Hot Springs, Arkansas, barbecue restaurant during statewide closures meant to curb the pandemic. Then after she fell behind on her rent came the shock that only happens to tenants in Arkansas: In May, her landlord filed a criminal complaint for … Read more
Living with roommates can be both a blessing and a struggle. After all, teaming up with a roommate could mean a bigger apartment with a little more space. If you’re lucky, roommates can sometimes even turn into built-in friends—people who will be there for you at 3 am when you need to cry on the … Read more
In August 2018, Chermire Gladden sat on the dark wooden benches in Maryland District Court, waiting her turn as a judge churned through more than 90 cases filed against public housing residents. Gladden had informed the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis two months earlier that she wouldn’t be able to afford the $604 … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I am a landlord whose Muslim tenants have not paid their rent in six months. What does the Koran say about repayment of a debt to a non-Muslim person? Susan Answer: Dear Susan, Well, that’s an interesting academic question but this is a matter first that is covered by your state law. … Read more
Forget the idea that we can’t let facts and science guide a logical response to the current pandemic. Let’s put that aside. What is clearly an imminent threat is the closing window of public support through unemployment assistance or eviction forbearance that has helped many people through these difficult months while they await a return … Read more
When the unpredictable happens, such as sudden job loss, it’s easy to feel panicked and unsure about next steps. You might be at a loss about what to do you’re laid off, and this can be overwhelming. In times like these, it’s important to know you are not alone. Unemployment has risen dramatically in the past … Read more
People are making less but paying more overall in rent. Here is why you may be spending more time working than in your bedroom.
Question: Dear Steve, I owed an apartment complex $800 in 2012. I completed the lease but they kept my deposit and charged me an additional $800 for replacing the carpet and cleaning the garage which had stains on the floor. I tried to pay it but recently when I inquired, they sold the debt to … Read more
Housing expenses often take up the largest share of people’s monthly budgets, so if you can’t find affordable housing, it can make everything more difficult. People who live in densely populated areas know this all too well and understand that high rent prices are just a part of living where they want to be (I’m looking … Read more
Owning your own home used to be the American dream. But today, the aftermath of the mortgage crisis, the burden of student loans, and a mobile workforce have combined to encourage more Gen-Yers and Millennials to rent instead of buy. No matter what the reason you’re renting, it’s important to understand why you need renter’s … Read more
The Federal Trade Commission has warned the operators of six websites that share information about consumers’ rental histories with landlords that they may be subject to the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The letters inform the recipients that if they meet certain criteria, namely collecting information on tenants and their rental history … Read more