Ah, the joys of managerial impunity.
It must be nice to make money by screwing people over, unencumbered by morals and empathy. It’s a proud tradition after all, carried on by the overlords of tenements and sweatshops right up to the present day. Of course, back then conditions were unbearable and inhumane. Why, it got so bad that the government eventually intervened. It’s all so very quaint.
Today, of course, landlords know better. Money is the name of the game these days (kind of like in the 1920s - odd, that), so even a hint that there’s a mint to be made is enough to shut up the politicians and bureaucrats. Makes you wonder if that’s what’s going on over in Studio City, California, where one blogger is chronicling the conversion of her apartment complex into condominiums. You know, while tenants are still inside.
You read that right.
In a display of jaw-dropping arrogance and idiocy that must be seen to be believed, the owner of an apartment complex in aforementioned Studio City has decided that waiting for tenants to vacate the premises is too large an obstacle for his grandiose plans. Instead, he decided to issue notices in late December of 2006 giving tenants 180 days to relocate, then changed his mind and sent in the construction crews in February. Residents have had the adventure of living in a full-on construction site, complete with missing railings, shattered patio windows, dangerous scattered debris, missing walls (oh yes!) and toxic chemicals that are sickening both human and animal inhabitants. But that’s only half the fun.
You see, while workers have been busy threatening the health and safety of hapless residents, they’ve also been systematically denying them basic services. Maybe the owner of the place just wants to make sure they really appreciate the little things, like hot water, gas for cooking and privacy. After all, you don’t miss things until they’re gone.
So far, Rental Refugees has attracted a slight online following, but minimal interest from lawyers or media outlets. It’s quite a pity - why pass up a chance to expose corruption and exploitation of the middle class?
Maybe they’re all looking for some cheap condos of questionable integrity.
Today’s Tune: The Pogues - Boys From The County Hell
