CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – The worth hike takes an actual toll on renters all through South Florida. In Coral Gables, one girl is left scrambling to search out someplace to dwell after her new landlord raised her lease by greater than 100%.
Sara Espinoza has lived at her present dwelling for 22 years. She resides on the highest flooring, and it’s a three-bedroom and two-bath, crammed with household pictures and recollections.
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“We never owned it, but it feels like home,” mentioned Espinoza.
She by no means dreamt of leaving on LeJeune Road in Coral Gables. But final month, on March 24, a letter from her new landlord modified all the things.
“It was a big sticker shock,” added Espinoza. “I couldn’t believe it. When I saw the letter, I couldn’t believe it.”
Espinoza’s lease jumped from $1,700 to $3,500 below the brand new landlords – a 106% enhance.
Her wage working for the state can’t cowl the rise.
“It’s adding another layer of stress that I don’t need, especially at this period in my life,” exclaimed Espinoza. “Nobody needs that kind of stress. It came as just a shock.”
In an e mail change on April 3, the brand new landlord offered phrases to increase the lease to present her extra time to maneuver.
It learn, “I sent it. If you don’t sign it, it is not my problem.”
Espinoza was too involved to signal, having by no means met or spoken with the brand new landlord outdoors of e mail exchanges.
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Now, she has to maneuver out by May 7.
In my dialog with Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Pedro Garcia, he factors to the financial local weather of rising property values and taxes within the space, pricing individuals like Espinoza out of houses.
“One cost on top of the other one,” mentioned Garcia. “That’s what they create. The main problem we have to face is the salaries don’t go along with the value of properties in Miami-Dade County.”
Espinoza wants to remain native, needing public transportation for work.
The two-unit duplex Espinoza rents bought for $1 million on March 15.
And with the excessive price ticket, larger lease. And charges throughout Coral Gables are sky-high. Ninety-four % of renting choices are over $2,000.
She hopes state lawmakers act earlier than it’s too late.
“Going to be many of us in this situation,” mentioned Espinoza. “And I think it’s unfortunate.”
No assistance is on the way in which. She doesn’t qualify for the Emergency Rental Assistant Program within the county. For people, like Espinoza, it is advisable to make lower than $50,650.
Espinoza now solely has weeks to discover a new place earlier than she’s evicted.
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CBS4 did attain out to the brand new proprietor of the property. They haven’t returned our request for remark.