According to recent data from The Eviction Lab at Princeton University over 3.6 million eviction cases were filed in 2018, accounting for 6% of renting households. This number has also remained constant as a national average from 2000 to 2018.
How many of your union members are dealing with housing issues that they don’t talk about on the job. For unions, being able to provide relief and solutions are reasons why members value their membership.
Knowing how to navigate these disputes can save your union members time, money, and stress. This article will shed light on common types of housing and real estate disputes and how unions can provide the right resources to help their members resolve them.
Common Types of Disputes:
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Mortgage-Related Issues
- Property Boundary Disputes
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Landlord-tenant disputes are among the most common housing issues. They can include problems like eviction, rent increases, maintenance issues, and security deposits.
Eviction: Landlords must provide a valid reason for evicting a tenant. They also need to follow a legal process that includes giving proper notice. If facing eviction, it's important your members know their rights and possibly seek legal help.
Rent Increases: Rent stabilization laws often limit how much a landlord can increase rent each year. If a member believes their rent increase is unfair or illegal, they can file a complaint with the proper authorities in their area.
Maintenance Issues: Landlords are required to maintain rental properties in a safe and habitable condition. If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs, you can take several steps after documenting the issues:
- Contact local authorities
- Visit these government sites to find your state’s office:
For further information on any of these topics, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website.
Mortgage-Related Issues
Mortgage problems can include foreclosure, loan modifications, and predatory lending practices.
Foreclosure: Foreclosures can be devastating for families to face. The foreclosure rate rose 13% nationwide between 2022 and 2023. But there are options. Most states give residents the right to receive a pre-foreclosure notice at least 90 days before any foreclosure action begins. Loan modifications or other foreclosure prevention programs may also be an option.
Visit this government site for information and help for those potentially facing foreclosure.
Loan Modifications: When struggling to make mortgage payments, a loan modification can help make your payments more affordable. This might involve extending the term of the loan, reducing the interest rate, or changing the loan type.
Predatory Lending: Predatory lending includes practices like charging excessively high interest rates or fees. If you believe you’ve been a victim of predatory lending, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and seek legal advice.
Property Boundary Disputes
Roughly 17% of homeowners reported having a property dispute with a neighbor in 2023.
Property boundary disputes occur when two parties disagree on the location of their property lines. This can happen when property surveys are unclear, or neighbors make changes to the land.
Resolution Steps:
- Survey: Get a professional survey done to clearly establish property lines.
- Mediation: Try to resolve the dispute amicably through mediation before considering legal action.
- Legal Action: If mediation fails, you may need to go to court to resolve the dispute. Union legal resources can help you find a qualified attorney.
How Union Resources Can Help
Union members may have access to resources that can help resolve housing and real estate disputes. Here are some services a union can offer to provide assistance:
- Legal Assistance: This can include free consultations and discounted rates for legal representation.
- Educational Workshops: Workshops on housing rights and legal issues can help members understand their rights and options.
- Advocacy: Unions can advocate on member’s behalf, helping to negotiate better terms with landlords or lenders.
- Financial Counseling: This can help members manage mortgage payments or resolve financial disputes.
Conclusion
Housing and real estate disputes can be challenging. With the right information and resources, you can help members navigate these issues. Your union can provide members with advantages, like access to legal assistance and educational resources. These can help resolve disputes.
By understanding and using their rights and union resources, members can protect themselves and their homes.
Share this article with your members to arm them with this useful information to protect their homes.
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Topics from this blog: information housing renting
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