Small town slumlords

In a small college town like ours, there are plenty of property owners who take advantage of lower income renters, knowing that most are either transitory college students or those without the resources and wherewithal to stand up for their rights as tenants. I understand that property owners have a difficult time sorting the wheat from the chaff, as far as tenants go, and college students and lower income tenants can bring major headaches. However, one recent situation has been brought to my attention that warrants mention.

The Ashwood Apartments, formerly known as the Oceana Apartments, used to be simple quads, i.e., four studio bedroom apartments that shared one kitchen, with two apartments sharing each bathroom. The prices were low and utilities were included. A couple years ago, Sterling Management Group took over management of the complex and instituted some remodeling, converting some quads into one-bedroom apartments with private kitchens and bathrooms. Tenants rejoiced. (After sharing your bathroom with complete strangers, wouldn't you?) Unfortunately, the initial remodeling was apparently not up to code, so the tenants who moved into these one-bedroom apartments were later told that they would have to move into different apartments so the units could be remodeled a second time.

In the interim, the former complex manager left the employ of Sterling and someone new was brought in to oversee the changes. He has apparently decided that this would be a good time to flush out some of the old tenants in an effort to bring in new blood. He forced several tenants to sign new leases under threat of eviction. Under the new lease, pet owners who had previously been permitted to have cats were told to give up their kitties or move out. The option to sign a lease year-by-year was removed and everyone was put on a month-to-month basis -- not the most secure option for those whose incomes can't really absorb frequent rent increases. Some of the tenants who had moved from poorly remodeled apartments into the newer refurbished apartments were told after the fact that part of their previous deposits did not transfer to the new places. In other words, despite this information not being included on the new leases, tenants were told that they had to submit a new non-refundable deposit of several hundred dollars or be evicted.

The majority of Ashwood residents are working class Joes and Jills, or living on disability checks, who are now facing a rather nasty choice between coughing up money to move to a new place, or coughing up money for the privilege of remaining in their current apartments. These folks don't have the money to pay lawyers, and many of them don't know their rights under Housing Law in the state of Oregon.

Fine. I'll post it here and the word will hopefully spread: Avoid Sterling Management properties.

In addition, I'll mention a few property management companies and apartment complexes that actually adhere to tenant law. I'm a big fan of Duerksen & Associates. When the owner of a property that I was renting decided to sell without much warning, Jerry Duerksen personally transferred over all my deposits and waived new fees to lessen the trauma. I also think Witham Hill Oaks, Witham Village, and the complex including Forest Green Townhomes and Rolling Green Apartments offer decent apartments and quality management. Your mileage may vary.