unlicensed facilitator

[Jacqueline Peek]

A year ago, I rented a house from a deputy sheriff acting on behalf of an out of state owner.    We made improvements to the property with the permission of the deputy and now that the home is lovely, they want to evict me to double the rent.  I paid rent with  a money order being payable to the Deputy, putting his name on all payments.  The deputy has been depositing the money into his personal checking account to take $50 out for himself for managing the property and sending the remainder the owner out of state.  Is this illegal for the deputy since he is not licensed in real estate or property management?

[Wayne Brooks]

Unfortunately, and it's not fair, but I've seen that many times.  A tenant improves a property, planning on staying there, then the owner says"thanks for the improvements, I can now get more rent!"  Scummy, but common.