SAN DIEGO — Residents of an apartment complex in the 4200 block of Wynona Avenue in Colina Del Sol say the landlord wants them to get out and stay out.
“Payless Realty now threatens evictions under the pretext of remodeling, claiming improvements would make property too expensive and too good for its current immigrant, refugee, elderly and disabled tenants,” said community advocate Sahar Abdulla. “This is offensive and degrading to our community.”
Tenants say they've been hit with sudden rent increases ranging from 38% to 50%. Among those hit hardest is Maria Cuevas, who has lived there for 20 years.
“They have not only raised her rent, but have also given her a three day notice to vacate,” said Maria’s translator, Mihan Raufy. “She has continuously faced injustice and harassment at the hands of her landlord.”
Tenants say when they speak up or file complaints they face retaliation.
“These actions have caused me significant stress, physically, financially, and me and my wife and my daughter,” said Muridi Omar.
He says his rent jumped from $2,000 a month to $2,800 and when he complained, he says the landlord started towing his car over and over again. Now he's hired an attorney.
“They've towed his car six times now at this property complex after him making complaints,” said Omar’s attorney John Pittman. “She had the towing place rivet a no parking sign on his garage door, and had him towed from his assigned parking space.”
CBS 8 reached out to Payless Realty, but they hung up as soon as we identified ourselves. Now the residents are asking the city for help and threatening lawsuits.
“This is not what San Diego is about,” Pittman said. “ These are not the kinds of things that landlords in San Diego are supposed to be doing to their tenants, and somebody needs to speak up.”
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