Our property manager stole our rent checks, then I got a letter that made my blood boil – they’re playing “stupid”
Outraged tenants have threatened to leave their building after a property manager allegedly stole a month’s rent and asked them to pay again.
Casey Oiler was fired from Volunteer Properties for allegedly stealing from buildings in East Tennessee, police said.
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In July, residents of an apartment building in Manchester received a letter saying their rent had been lost and would have to be paid again.
However, the truth behind the letter came to light after tenants pushed back against the company and refused to comply with the outrageous request.
“Once it’s in there, my responsibility is over,” resident John Wilear told the CBS affiliate WSMV on August 17th.
After the letter was published by local media, volunteer supervisor Brad Turskey said they had just seen it and claimed it was written by Oiler himself.
Tursky sent another letter to the tenants stating that the request for rent reimbursement had not been approved and that there was no need to take action regarding the stolen rent.
They said they had no idea money had been stolen until after Oiler was fired and apologized for the misunderstanding.
Residents are burned by their attempts to get answers and remain frustrated with how the situation was handled.
“He never expected anyone to be on the news, to have this aired publicly, and now they look stupid,” Wilear said after he was no longer asked to pay back his rent.
“He plays dumb and backs down. Despicable. Despicable is the right word.”
Although his balance is taken care of, Wilear noted that he plans to find a new place to live.
“Take responsibility for your employees,” he said.
The buildings were intended for low-income residents and are partially funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA said it is investigating all parties and hopes to find solutions soon.
According to the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Oiler was charged with receiving stolen property in June.
According to WSMV, she is also under investigation for stolen payments in Dechar.
For residents facing eviction, it is important to know your rights and consult an attorney for advice.
Some cities offer rent relief for low-income people.
Other states like Michigan, New York, New Mexico and Indiana offer temporary eviction protections, giving residents time to gather money and pay off debts.
If the matter is discussed in court, factors such as serious illness, the impact of eviction on children’s lives and other aspects of extreme hardship could come into play.
To prevent conflicts from occurring between your landlord, the most important thing is to pay rent on time and stay in touch with the building owners.
A woman was saved from eviction after being awarded $15,000 in rental assistance last year, but a new eviction has put her under renewed pressure.