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Landlord Unable To Evict Tenants Forced To Live Out Of Car

Landlord Unable To Evict Tenants Forced To Live Out Of Car

She's owed more than $23,000 from three properties in New York

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A landlord says she's been forced to live in her car after three of her tenants refuse to pay rent and she's not able to evict them due to moratoriums currently in place.

Brandie LaCasse is owed more than $23,000 (£16,709) in rent from three properties and told CBS News she has not received rental assistance funds from the government that at least one of her tenants has been approved for.

LaCasse, who used to be in the Air Force, says she has now been left homeless and is struggling to support both herself and her daughter.

She claims she's been left living out of her car or relying on the kindness of her friends to put her and her daughter up.

Brandie LaCasse.
CBS News

She told CBS: "I've cried many nights, like thinking, 'Where's my money?'

"I don't understand how they can give my private property to somebody to live for free. I bought that property. I fixed it up with my blood, sweat and tears.

"I invested in these properties, never thinking I wouldn't have a place to live. I just want my house. That's it. I just want my house."

LaCasse's tenant, Carla McArthur told CBS News she unable to pay her rent due to childcare costs for her two children - one of whom has autism - and due to problems arising during the pandemic.

McArthur said: "I feel bad that I have not been able to pay her.

"We've gone from two incomes. I had Covid-19 twice. My kids all have had it once. My husband's had it once. We've been affected by the virus."

Tenant Carla McArthur.
CBS News

McArthur has been approved for rental relief, but as yet the state hasn't paid LaCasse.

McArthur went on to say she was concerned that once the moratorium is lifted she could end up homeless.

"I'm not sure what she may do when the moratorium's lifted," she said. "That's what I'm afraid of, being homeless."

The new rules brought in were designed to protect vulnerable tenants during the pandemic, but some landlords say the bans have left them out of pocket.

A report from the Joint Centre for Housing Studies at Harvard University found almost ten percent of US landlords collected just half of their rent last year.

Featured Image Credit: CBS News

Topics: US News