Pay up or move was the gist of a letter posted in the elevator for all residents of an apartment building in the Woodlawn community to read at the beginning of the year.
Pay up or move was the gist of a letter posted in the elevator for all residents of an apartment building in the Woodlawn community to read at the beginning of the year.
Longtime residents of Midway Gardens apartments, 727 E. 60th St., including seniors on a fixed income, single mothers and residents with disabilities, were told in the letter by building management they must pay up to $200 more in rent, based on the type of unit they have, effective in 30 days, or move out.
The letter set off a range of emotions, including causing residents to fear they’re being shoved out to make room for students who attend the nearby University of Chicago.
“I know the property is very valuable and I suspect something is going on, but I don’t know who is behind it,” said Ald. Willie Cochran (20th) who stepped in to help the residents.
Midway Gardens is in Cochran’s ward.
The 56-year-old building is owned by Chicago Dwellings Association, a private corporation, and managed by Community Management Inc. Midway Gardens.
Residents were notified of the rent increase in January, said property manager Annette Thomas.
“They had four months to decide whether or not they wanted to live here,” Thomas said, adding that the rent increase stands.
Cochran, as did the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, said the original notification was faulty.
“They disrespected the people there, and the residents are saddened,” Cochran said.
“The residents weren’t given the proper notification about a rent increase. Instead of each tenant receiving an individual letter, they posted a few in the elevators. That was unacceptable. I met with management and the Metropolitan Tenants Organization,” the alderman said.
John Bartlett, executive director of MTO, said the organization immediately intervened once they learned the tenants were notified via a letter posted in the elevator.
“While management is at liberty to increase the rent, they must take the proper steps to notify the tenants. We met with them and got it straightened out,” Barlett said, adding that most of the residents are on a month-to-month lease.
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