Bribe for Early RenewalStarting in 2008, FRED offered me a little bribe each year for early renewal of the lease.
It came in handy, although not a huge deal. |
Kitty chasing a ball and a mouse courtesty of I-Love-Cats dot com. Cat Clip Art
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2008
In 2008, FRED offered me a $50 gift card from the gas station/convenience store across the street. I signed early. The gift card was very helpful.
2009The same thing --- except the gift card was for $75. FRED gave it to me the next day, by posting it to my door.
Proud blue kitty courtesy of I-Love-Cats dot com. Cat Clip Art
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In July of 2010, Valley View again posted flyers on my door offering bribes for early renewal. This time, I did not accept the bribe.
I wanted to see if I could find another apartment. I really hated Valley View. Finding another apartment may not have been feasible, because I had two cats. Many landlords won't take pets, or only one. I also had a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher --- which landlords do not have to accept. It does make a little extra paperwork for them. It also means the tenants are poor. Landlords don't have to accept poor tenants if they don't want to --- even when the rent is guaranteed by the federal government. {Many folks will say there should be a law forcing landlords to accept Section 8 tenants. That might be true, but I'm just stating the facts as they were. The main point is --- I realized it would not be easy for me to find a new apartment, so I'd need a long time to search.} Kitty Smells are a Part of Life in a Kitty Household.
I treated the carpet with enzymes many, many, many times in the nine years we had lived there. Kitties do occasionally cause problems like that. It's a normal part of life in a kitty household.
Further, when the DCHA inspector allowed me thirty days to correct the problem, I did so. And, HUD certified us for occupancy that year. |
I Procrastinated, Even Though I Could Have Used the "Bribe"
(Okay, hereinafter referred to as "bonus". That's what the court calls it.)
I did not sign in July, when FRED first offered the bonus. I did not sign in early August, either. I did not sign until a few days before the deadline for the bonus. Now is the time for allgood men to come to the aid of the ir parties. Now is the time for all goodmen tocome to the aid of their party.
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The Only Reason I Signed the Early Renewal at All in 2010:
. . . on August 5, 2010, the county housing inspector (during a routine annual inspection) said there was an odoriferous problem which he claimed was caused by Becky and Jason.
I would have thirty (30) days to resolve the problem. That was when I realized I would need that $150 bonus to pay for some enzymatic liquid. |