San Francisco: “S.F. woman accused of bilking would-be tenants,” by Henry K. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle, July 29, 2010
A San Francisco woman has been arrested and charged with bilking would-be apartment renters of thousands of dollars apiece by accepting their deposits and then spinning a tale that they couldn’t move in for a while because her mother had cancer, police said Thursday.
Rachael Marie Smith, 29, recruited victims by posting ads on Craigslist, offering to rent her apartment on the 5600 block of California Street near 18th Avenue in the Inner Richmond District, said police Sgt. Troy Dangerfield.
Nation: “Chinese drywall dilemma reaches renters,” WAVY.com, July 28, 2010
WILLIAMSBURG, Va -Anyone in the market to move may want to pose the question: “What’s in the walls?” in addition to questions about square footage.
WAVY.com has investigated homeowner’s defective Chinese drywall problems for more than a year. But renters are starting to add their voices to those dealing with a sulfur odor, corroded wiring, and unexplained health problems.
Cheryl Radcliff rented a home in Williamsburg in November of 2009.
“You know, [we] wanted a new start in Williamsburg, and walked into a toxic environment. It’s just been unbelievable,” she said.
San Francisco: “Rent may no longer be a four letter word,” by Jenny P., On the Block, July 26, 2010
Going forward however, it looks like the federal government will be singing a different tune regarding home ownership. As reported in the Washington Post, the Obama administration will be tackling housing finance reform as its next big item on the agenda. But, the message won’t be a “home ownership for all,” motto:
“In previous eras, we haven’t seen people question whether home ownership was the right decision. It was just assumed that’s where you want to go,” said Raphael Bostic, a senior official in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. “You’re not going to hear us say that.”
New York: “That Cheap, Roomy Loft Can Now Be a Legal One, Too,” by Cara Buckley, The New York Times, July 26, 2010
Over the years, Michael Kronberg, a 46-year-old artist, grew to accept, if not always love, the quirks and pitfalls that came with living in his loft in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Among them: The 49-year-old practicing nudist who wandered the halls. The drug-dealing roommate whose frequent guests included addicts and a dominatrix who dabbled in black magic. The squadrons of thumb-size cockroaches who fed on pigeon feces piled in coops on the roof.
The only thing that really bothered Mr. Kronberg was the shadowy status of the place. The building is a former factory unlawfully converted into residential lofts, and its tenants were living there illegally with no rights or protections. Until now.
