Mandatory Apartment Renovations

[Jan Aguilera]

I have lived in the same apartment in California under Sec.8 HUD now for twenty years with no problems... until recently.

The apartments have recently been bought by a new company and we now have a new property management company as well. However the apartment manager remains the same.

On January 24th. of this year I received a general information brief in my mail box concerning the new owners intent to refurbish all the apartments here. This is the ONLY printed information I have received. I have been told by our regular property manager that I have to box EVERYTHING up in my apartment and have it removed from my apartment. I was told my two cats had to be removed as well. If I could not do this I had to move.

The new owners are apparently known for doing this with many apartments in California and other states. They advertise their pride in not having to relocate any residents. It was stated in the January 24th notice that tenants may need to be out of their apartments for about one week during business hours.

I am a disabled senior citizen of 68 years. I am not capable of doing this. Not only physically boxing up EVERYTHING, but in removing it from my apartment. I have NOwhere to put anything. Nor do I have money to have it done. I am on an extremely fixed income.

I guess what I am looking to find are my rights as a renter and as much information I can concerning 'Reasonable Accommodations' that apply to me in this situation.

On June 13th. I sent a Request for Reasonable Accommodation to the new company extensively detailing the problems that I've had here and requesting either they provide someone to help with boxing up everything or bypassing my renovations until I no longer live in this apartment. I now have an appointment (in my apartment!) with the new regional property manager to discuss my request which I hope goes well. Information is power and I know it's short of time but any help would be greatly appreciated.