Residents of Columbia Gardens Apartments Alarmed by Eviction Notices
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A wave of concern is sweeping through the Columbia Gardens Apartments as residents have begun receiving alarming eviction notices citing unpaid rent. Over the last week, tenants have reported amounts owed ranging from $200 to $10,000, causing confusion and distress among community members who believe they have been diligent in paying their dues.
Frustrations Rise Among Residents
Among the affected is Brittany Eady, a long-time resident who has lived in the complex for five years. She expressed her mounting frustration after receiving an eviction notice on October 26, which claimed she owed an astonishing $2,100 for her monthly rent of $500. “I pay my rent on time. I don’t know why. How does this balance even get to $2,100?” she pondered.
Eady, who has faced personal challenges, shared, “I lost my kids’ father, and staying here is helpful for me, because I lost that help from, you know, him being gone.” Her emotional story reflects the struggles many tenants are facing in the wake of these notices.
Confusion Reigns Amid Eviction Notices
The eviction notices, which were sent out last Friday, have left many residents feeling confused and deeply worried about their living situation. Eady is far from alone; numerous tenants have come forward with similar claims, intensifying the concern throughout the community.
According to information available from the South Carolina Housing website, Columbia Gardens is recognized as both a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property and a part of the Project-Based Contract Administration (PBCA/HUD) program. However, the situation took a confusing turn when the South Carolina Housing Authority announced that there had been an error in the eviction notices issued.
Promise of Clarity But No Follow-Through
A representative from the South Carolina Housing Authority assured residents that corrected letters would be distributed by October 29th, allowing tenants 30 days to settle any outstanding charges. Yet, as of Tuesday, several residents reported that they had yet to see any sign of the corrected paperwork.
To gain more clarity on the issue, inquiries were made towards the Beacon Property Group, the management company responsible for the complex. Unfortunately, no responses were forthcoming regarding the troubling eviction notices.
Legal Experts Weigh In
The unexpected influx of eviction notices has raised eyebrows among legal professionals as well. Adam Partheroe, a litigation lawyer from the SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center, expressed his concerns over the situation. “With a large majority of the tenants in the apartment complex all of a sudden getting an eviction notice, my question is, ‘Okay, what changed?’ Because it seems clear to me something did,” he remarked. Partheroe highlighted that there could be various explanations for the sudden wave of eviction notices, and it’s crucial to investigate further.
Attempts to Speak with Management
On Monday, an attempt to engage with the management at Columbia Gardens Apartments was met with a request for the team to leave the property, which further deepened the community’s concerns over transparency and communication regarding this unsettling issue.
As residents remain on edge, anxiously awaiting clarity on the legitimacy of these eviction notices, it’s evident that a significant challenge now lies ahead for the tenants of Columbia Gardens. The coming days will be critical for both the residents facing eviction and the management company as they work to resolve this perplexing situation.
