Nadine.Thomas@p59.f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org (Nadine Thomas) (07/24/90)
Index Number: 9443
I want to tell you all what happened to me two months ago.
I live in city housing and I had my yearly inspection for lease
renewal done in April. Lease renewal signing was to take place May
7th. I was sick and forgot till I saw my calendar on the 8th.
Upon calling the office and explaining my oversight etc. I was told
(rather nastily I might add) that they were NOT going to let me
sign my renewal because I had not paid the pet deposit of $50.00
from 6 years ago. I had a hearing last summer (it was a kangaroo
court of city housing executives) and was told at that time that I
had to pay the deposit even though they can't find a record of
whether I had paid it or not 5 years prior (I honestly could not
remember if I had). They have one month where their records were
missing too during that time period.
They told me I had to make arrangements to pay the money. I did
not do that and they did not inform me until my phone call that I
was not going to be allowed to renew my lease without payment. I
even used the defense that my dog was specially trained to help me
and the fact that she has been with me for 6 years and I've passed
ALL my inspections without ANY dog related problems.
That weekend, Saturday May 12th, I received a certified letter
stating that I was to vacate the premise by June 30, that I had 10
days to submit a written request for a hearing or settle the issue
by paying the money.
That Monday I contacted the CEO of HANDIDOGS, INC. and told her the
situation. She told me that because my dog is specially trained (by
them) that she is NOT considered a pet and according to HUD rules
she is exempt from special fees. I contacted Legal Aid and the
attorney said she would contact Handidogs and speak with her as
well as check the HUD rules. Meantime I was to (and did) submit a
written offer of payment to them along with a request for a
hearing. If anyone, in a similar position, needs a GOOD letter let
me know.
Results were that according to FEDERAL HUD rules - specially
trained animals ARE exempt from special fees. Special fees is a
very vague statement but housing did buy it and BACKED OFF. They
issued a letter of statement stating that trained animals are
exempt and any one who has not paid will not have to and those who
have are due a refund. My neighbor had paid and got the letter but
was told she will not get her money till the end of July. Funny
how they want their rent by the fifth or we have to pay penalties
but they don't do what they are supposed to in a timely fashion.
Anyway, I am glad I won. But they are getting even. It took over
TWO WEEKS to get the exterminator here - I had a severe ant
infestation and I was very upset over the idea of any of the ants
getting in my open incisions and they took their sweet time about
sending the guy. I called Legal Aid again and she had a letter
hand delivered to the higher ups and it still took a week past that
time to get them here. Meantime, a neighbors friend came over and
helped me to kill the thousands of ants that were in my kitchen.
Unfortunately, I have no further recourse.
Because it is CONVENTIONAL city housing I can NOT even submit a
request for the exterminator and then take the rent and call an
outside one in and bill the city if they do not answer in a timely
fashion.
Nadine
Alias: Fido Bandido
*NUMERO UNO ON FIDONET MOST WANTED LIST*
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