Money 'Guess Who's Moving? You!’ - Page 2

TLO · 08-21-2020, 09:51 AM

https://www.google.com/amp/s/people....ou/%3famp=true

Mom of 2 Given Insensitive Eviction Notice Featuring Smiling Emoji: 'Guess Who's Moving? You!’
Sonja Lee tells PEOPLE she had been struggling to find a job and kept in communication with property managers before receiving the notice

The 33-year-old tells PEOPLE she lost her job following the pandemic's start and has been applying to jobs using online services. Making matters worse, Lee says she was recently hired for a job that turned out to be a "scam," and was left three months behind rent because of the setback.

"I was overwhelmed because, to be honest, I felt like I was in a big hole and I couldn't get out of it because I was set back so much," says Lee, who lives at The Steeples apartment complex in Houston. "So it's like, I'm a single mother with two boys. I do the best that I can and am a very hard-working woman."

"I was scared," she adds. "I didn't know what I was going to do after exhausting all of my resources from calling 211, local health assistance, and wasn't able to get through, I didn't know what to do."

Lee says she kept in communication with property managers about her situation, which improved when she was hired for a job set to begin on Aug. 24.

But on Monday afternoon, Lee found the eviction notice on her door.

"Guess who's moving? You!!!" the message began, followed by a large smiling emoji. "Pay your outstanding balance, or release your apartment and turn in your keys to the leasing office by 6:00 p.m. today. Eviction will be filed promptly Tuesday morning, 8/18/2020."

The notice, and the insensitivity in how it was delivered, was a punch to the gut during a painful chapter for her family, Lee says.

"I was mad, I ain't going to lie," she recalls of receiving the letter. "I didn't think it was funny at all. I felt like they were antagonizing the tenants through the situation and it was heartless, especially during a pandemic."

"A lot of people have lost their jobs," Lee continues. "A lot of people aren't able to get the resources. I was denied unemployment five times."

After local news stations picked up Lee's story, Swapnil Agarwal, CEO of Karya Property Management — which operates The Steeples complex — apologized on behalf of the company.

"Buck stops with me, so yes, I do personally apologize," Agarwal told KTRK. "I wish I had the time and the resources to reach out personally to every one of them who have dealt with any issues at our properties. But I am apologizing personally in case it was insensitive, and if she was really trying to work out a payment program with the property or that she was in communication with the manager, then I accept it's truly our fault."

Agarwal told the outlet the manager who wrote the eviction letter has been "reprimanded." Lee is also not under eviction, she added.

Lee said a regional manager with Karya Property Management — which did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment — reached out to her and apologized for the incident.

Since sharing her story, Lee has started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for her and her two children, 2-year-old Sean and 12-year-old Patrick, which has raised over $11,500. It has helped to rekindle her spirits, she says.

"Despite what you may go through, the trials and tribulations that might be thrown at you, never give up," Lee explains. "When it feels like you don't have nothing else left in you, that's when blessings will start pouring. So when you feel like there's nothing left, if you have faith, keep your faith, stay strong, and just stay positive because blessings are real and miracles do happen within a blink of an eye."

**TribalElder** · 08-21-2020, 10:25 AM

the smiley face looks so friendly

Guess who's moving... You!

**Rain Man** · 08-21-2020, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

This girl lived close to you?

Not any more.

Hammock Parties · 08-21-2020, 10:26 AM

You have to be a prick to squatters. No other way.

RedRaider56 · 08-21-2020, 10:28 AM

I don't know about other cities in Texas, but Austin passed a non-eviction ordinance just to keep things like this from happening. It lasts through September, for now.

https://www.kvue.com/article/money/e...0-7a2525a1927a

FloridaMan88 · 08-21-2020, 10:47 AM

She was able to raise $11K+ on GoFundMe because of how a dumb letter was written, even though it doesn’t change the fact she was behind on her rent.

Eleazar · 08-21-2020, 10:47 AM

That notice is insensitive and stupid, whoever in the leasing office did that should be fired. But what do people expect landlords to do? Give people free rent for a year? Continue to let people accrue balances that they will never repay?

dlphg9 · 08-21-2020, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

You have to be a prick to squatters. No other way.

Didn't your mom pay for your apartment?

-Cooper Barrett

dlphg9 · 08-21-2020, 10:51 AM

Honestly, this lady should be thanking the idiot that sent that eviction notice. That smiley face is responsible for her getting $100k+. Id send the land lord a thank you note.

Eleazar · 08-21-2020, 10:57 AM

Did anyone toss a chip onto the "Hoax" space yet? I'll put a $1 check on that... might pay off.

lawrenceRaider · 08-21-2020, 11:01 AM

She lost her job at the beginning of the pandemic. What did she do with 6 months of unemployment that paid her +$600 a week? Or was she working some sort of cash only gig? Only way this makes any sense.

Otherwise she squandered her COVID money instead of paying her bills.

ChiefBlueCFC · 08-21-2020, 11:03 AM

jesus christ some of yall are ****ing ridiculous

Chief Roundup · 08-21-2020, 11:20 AM

Now wait a minute, there is tons of info that is not in this story.
How much is the rent on that place?
How much was she earning prior to the layoff?
How much did she bring home from unemployment?
Did she try to get food stamps or any other government assistance after losing said job?
If she was like a large number of people she was making more on unemployment than she was working. If that is the case she could have been paying her rent.

**Iowanian** · 08-21-2020, 11:21 AM

I'm going to be honest, I side with the landlords most of the time.

Pay your bills. Prioritize your spending. Food and shelter should be her first priority.
In my entire life, I've never missed a payment. Not once.
The one time I didn't drop my rent off on a friday as planned, and hadn't been late a single time in 2 years, my landlord beat on the door with his hand out sunday night a few minutes after we all returned from the weekend. He was an asshole about it, but the rent was due and it was the 3rd.

Lady received stimulus check in addition to any unemployment/assistance, and if they're far enough into the process that they can legally remove her the next day, this isn't her first notice and she's months behind.

**BigRedChief** · 08-21-2020, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

A contract is a contract until it's not, I guess.

I take a contract and 50% of the time it ends earlier than we agreed to. Not performance based but the financials and funding changes. The company or you don’t cause a stink because you need the reference or will do business with them in the future. SOP.

**Iowanian** · 08-21-2020, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

She was able to raise $11K+ on GoFundMe because of how a dumb letter was written, even though it doesn’t change the fact she was behind on her rent.

I wonder if she'll use that to pay her back rent and future rent as far out as it will go?

08-21-2020, 09:51 AM
TLO Life is changing.. Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Missouri Casino cash: $-2580000	'Guess Who's Moving? You!’ https://www.google.com/amp/s/people....ou/%3famp=true Mom of 2 Given Insensitive Eviction Notice Featuring Smiling Emoji: 'Guess Who's Moving? You!’ Sonja Lee tells PEOPLE she had been struggling to find a job and kept in communication with property managers before receiving the notice The 33-year-old tells PEOPLE she lost her job following the pandemic's start and has been applying to jobs using online services. Making matters worse, Lee says she was recently hired for a job that turned out to be a "scam," and was left three months behind rent because of the setback. "I was overwhelmed because, to be honest, I felt like I was in a big hole and I couldn't get out of it because I was set back so much," says Lee, who lives at The Steeples apartment complex in Houston. "So it's like, I'm a single mother with two boys. I do the best that I can and am a very hard-working woman." "I was scared," she adds. "I didn't know what I was going to do after exhausting all of my resources from calling 211, local health assistance, and wasn't able to get through, I didn't know what to do." Lee says she kept in communication with property managers about her situation, which improved when she was hired for a job set to begin on Aug. 24. But on Monday afternoon, Lee found the eviction notice on her door. "Guess who's moving? You!!!" the message began, followed by a large smiling emoji. "Pay your outstanding balance, or release your apartment and turn in your keys to the leasing office by 6:00 p.m. today. Eviction will be filed promptly Tuesday morning, 8/18/2020." The notice, and the insensitivity in how it was delivered, was a punch to the gut during a painful chapter for her family, Lee says. "I was mad, I ain't going to lie," she recalls of receiving the letter. "I didn't think it was funny at all. I felt like they were antagonizing the tenants through the situation and it was heartless, especially during a pandemic." "A lot of people have lost their jobs," Lee continues. "A lot of people aren't able to get the resources. I was denied unemployment five times." After local news stations picked up Lee's story, Swapnil Agarwal, CEO of Karya Property Management — which operates The Steeples complex — apologized on behalf of the company. "Buck stops with me, so yes, I do personally apologize," Agarwal told KTRK. "I wish I had the time and the resources to reach out personally to every one of them who have dealt with any issues at our properties. But I am apologizing personally in case it was insensitive, and if she was really trying to work out a payment program with the property or that she was in communication with the manager, then I accept it's truly our fault." Agarwal told the outlet the manager who wrote the eviction letter has been "reprimanded." Lee is also not under eviction, she added. Lee said a regional manager with Karya Property Management — which did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment — reached out to her and apologized for the incident. Since sharing her story, Lee has started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for her and her two children, 2-year-old Sean and 12-year-old Patrick, which has raised over $11,500. It has helped to rekindle her spirits, she says. "Despite what you may go through, the trials and tribulations that might be thrown at you, never give up," Lee explains. "When it feels like you don't have nothing else left in you, that's when blessings will start pouring. So when you feel like there's nothing left, if you have faith, keep your faith, stay strong, and just stay positive because blessings are real and miracles do happen within a blink of an eye."
Posts: 43,116

08-21-2020, 10:25 AM	#16
TribalElder Arrowhead Trail of Tears Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: KansasCity Casino cash: $-609559	the smiley face looks so friendly Guess who's moving... You!
Posts: 29,553	1 0

08-21-2020, 10:26 AM	#18
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $810478	You have to be a prick to squatters. No other way. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,429

08-21-2020, 10:28 AM	#19
RedRaider56 MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin, Texas Casino cash: $920400	I don't know about other cities in Texas, but Austin passed a non-eviction ordinance just to keep things like this from happening. It lasts through September, for now. https://www.kvue.com/article/money/e...0-7a2525a1927a
Posts: 7,316

08-21-2020, 10:47 AM	#20
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $-737094	She was able to raise $11K+ on GoFundMe because of how a dumb letter was written, even though it doesn’t change the fact she was behind on her rent.
Posts: 50,238

08-21-2020, 10:47 AM	#21
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	That notice is insensitive and stupid, whoever in the leasing office did that should be fired. But what do people expect landlords to do? Give people free rent for a year? Continue to let people accrue balances that they will never repay?
Posts: 80,659

08-21-2020, 10:51 AM	#23
dlphg9 In Search of a Life Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $-1630347	Honestly, this lady should be thanking the idiot that sent that eviction notice. That smiley face is responsible for her getting $100k+. Id send the land lord a thank you note.
Posts: 20,530

08-21-2020, 10:57 AM	#24
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Did anyone toss a chip onto the "Hoax" space yet? I'll put a $1 check on that... might pay off.
Posts: 80,659

08-21-2020, 11:01 AM	#25
lawrenceRaider Here We Go Again Join Date: May 2002 Casino cash: $-1336456	She lost her job at the beginning of the pandemic. What did she do with 6 months of unemployment that paid her +$600 a week? Or was she working some sort of cash only gig? Only way this makes any sense. Otherwise she squandered her COVID money instead of paying her bills. __________________
Posts: 15,301	1 0

08-21-2020, 11:03 AM	#26
ChiefBlueCFC Veteran Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: KCMO BABY Casino cash: $7940410	jesus christ some of yall are ****ing ridiculous __________________ WE FIRED BOB SUTTON
Posts: 2,736

08-21-2020, 11:20 AM	#27
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $-1578373	Now wait a minute, there is tons of info that is not in this story. How much is the rent on that place? How much was she earning prior to the layoff? How much did she bring home from unemployment? Did she try to get food stamps or any other government assistance after losing said job? If she was like a large number of people she was making more on unemployment than she was working. If that is the case she could have been paying her rent. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
Posts: 19,565

08-21-2020, 11:21 AM	#28
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1668454	I'm going to be honest, I side with the landlords most of the time. Pay your bills. Prioritize your spending. Food and shelter should be her first priority. In my entire life, I've never missed a payment. Not once. The one time I didn't drop my rent off on a friday as planned, and hadn't been late a single time in 2 years, my landlord beat on the door with his hand out sunday night a few minutes after we all returned from the weekend. He was an asshole about it, but the rent was due and it was the 3rd. Lady received stimulus check in addition to any unemployment/assistance, and if they're far enough into the process that they can legally remove her the next day, this isn't her first notice and she's months behind.
Posts: 62,945