Do you know the meaning of the word, “unconscionable?”
That sort of thing can happen to you no matter where you live, whether it be in the money-desperate East Coast, or the fascinating ambience reputed to be exuded in Portland.
What is happening to us already is taking place in downtown Portland.
We thought we were safe, but the fast-growth city of Hillsboro, now above 95,000, appears to be vulnerable, due to our proximity to Intel Corp. The demon appeared to us surrounded by Gummi Bears that have the same false flavor as the handmade card above them.
The card read “We can’t bear to see you leave. Please stay for another year” (accompanied by an image of a teddybear).
The card and Gummi Bears, all hung by a piece of blue tape quietly placed upon our apartment’s front door prior to the Independence Day weekend, were accompanied by a faded letter that detailed a new rental price structure.
You can see those prices on our landlord’s website here.
Our floor plan matches that of the Devonshire. So the real message we received says: Alice and I have until August 25 to decide whether we can continue to stay in our apartment.
If we do, we’ll pay an additional $550 to our current $1,050 monthly rent, more than a 50 percent increase. And we must execute a 9-12-month lease to lock in that rate.
If we don’t agree to renewing our lease, we will be charged an additional $750 on top of our $1,050 – a total of $1,800 – on a month-to-month basis, effective September 1.
No wonder I was asked recently how Alice is coming along after her stroke. I expressed optimism in response, but I’m the one who is worked up into a lather.
And that’s how we got to this point. Doesn’t Tandem Property Management worry what kind of image this stroke of greed exudes while we try to pay off our medical bills?
That’s the definition of “unconscionable.”
Consequently, we are looking for a new place where Alice’s vision can take root and allow us to contribute to a city called Portland.
If you know a suitable place where the two of us can be comfortable, a cat can roam happily, and that contains congenial neighbors of different generations, drop me a line at [email protected].
We pull our fair share wherever we go, and will continue to do so. But the vibes here reek of greed.
Speaking as NYC landlord I’d say this is an enormous increase. Obviously your first year was a teaser rate. They must be confident that they can rent the apartment for this new rate. They maybe willing to negotiate down if you offer to take on a longer lease. If you leave the landlord could face a couple of months of lost rent as the apartment sits idle. I suggest you shop around now you know the area and secure a long lease with any stated rental increases year by year written into the lease, so you don’t get caught off guard and can plan ahead.