Low-income seniors sue property manager over rising rent

TIGARD, Ore. (AP) — A group of low-income Oregon seniors is suing their property management company, alleging the company deliberately misled them by renting apartments that would soon dramatically increase in price.

The class-action suit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court Tuesday against Denver-based Mission Rock Residential. The company manages Woodspring Apartments, a federally subsidized building in Tigard. In January, residents were told that the owner would soon bring the building’s 172 units to market-rate rent.

The suit argues that when real estate firm Hamilton Zanze bought the property five years ago, the property managers knew about rent increases but withheld the information.

In their latest meeting with owners, residents reportedly set up camping tents to offer a visual demonstration of the reality some will face when they are forced out of their homes due to the rent increase. The residents say the owners were short on answers and were unwilling to rescind the current rent increases.

A group of low-income Oregon seniors is suing their property management company, alleging the company deliberately misled them by renting apartments that would soon dramatically increase in price. Courtesy: keepwoodspringaffordable.org)
A group of low-income Oregon seniors is suing their property management company, alleging the company deliberately misled them by renting apartments that would soon dramatically increase in price. Courtesy: keepwoodspringaffordable.org)