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Montgomery County Renters Alliance

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Montgomery County Renters Speak Out Against Rent Gouging, Evictions

Renters, who comprise about 30 percent of county residents, are organizing to advocate for tenant protections.

Dozens of Montgomery County renters packed a meeting room Monday to fight back against evictions and unregulated rent increases they say are forcing some residents, including vulnerable seniors, out of their homes. A group that advocates for renters' rights hosted the meeting in Bethesda, drawing local and state officials and renters who say they want more stable and affordable living. Nearly half the crowd was comprised of residents of the Willard, an apartment complex in Chevy Chase. Tenants there say they had their rent increased by five percent last year by a previous property owner and expect to see it raised another five percent this year by the building’s new owner, a Chicago-based realty investment trust. “We’re seeing lots of …

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jag

12:13 am on Friday, December 14, 2012

Of course he's the owner, hence him paying property taxes.   more ›

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Renting in Montgomery County? Nonprofit Says You’ve Got Rights

Renters Alliance wants protection from no-cause evictions, landlord intimidation and crazy rent increases.

A growing number of people are choosing to rent rather than buy homes in Montgomery County. Matt Losak, executive director of the Montgomery County Renters Alliance, says more than 25 percent of the county rents—with about 70 percent of those renters living in greater Silver Spring and Wheaton.  There are many reasons why. Some renters don’t want to be burdened with high taxes or home maintenance while seniors and immigrants are more often choosing rentals, according to Losak. Regardless of what motivates a person to rent, he or she wants the same security and protections as homeowners, he said.  That’s where the Alliance comes in. After a Tenants Work Group suggested the county form a group to advocate for renters’ rights, Losak’s …

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