Unlawful Debt Collection
New Mexico Legal Aid helped a young immigrant family, facing $5,000 of erroneous and unlawful charges and fees. Originally from Jordan, the parents and their three young children moved to Albuquerque, settled into an apartment, and started saving so the father could take the nursing licensing exam. Then, in the winter, the apartment lost electricity, heat and hot water for three weeks.
Huddled around a space heater and with the children under all their blankets, the concerned parents reported the issue to the city. Turns out this apartment complex had a history of 20 code violation reports, half of those for lack of water or heat for extended periods of time.
At the end of the lease term, the family moved out and worked with NMLA’s housing department to ensure that their move-out was entirely lawful and documented. A few weeks later, however, they were hit with a collections letter for nearly $5,000 of unlawful charges, fees, and the month’s rent that was waived while they had no heat, electricity or hot water. As immigrants, the family was terrified and feared that the apartment management could come after the little money they had.
After trying to resolve the situation on their own to no avail, the family received help from NMLA’s consumer practice group, who took up their case and began to investigate the unlawful debt collection activity. NMLA sued, and soon reached a settlement agreement, in which the apartment agreed the family didn’t owe the $5,000, and, additionally, agreed to pay the family $10,000.
New Mexico Legal Aid helped a young immigrant family, facing $5,000 of erroneous and unlawful charges and fees. Originally from Jordan, the parents and their three young children moved to Albuquerque, settled into an apartment, and started saving so the father could take the nursing licensing exam. Then, in the winter, the apartment lost electricity, heat and hot water for three weeks.
Huddled around a space heater and with the children under all their blankets, the concerned parents reported the issue to the city. Turns out this apartment complex had a history of 20 code violation reports, half of those for lack of water or heat for extended periods of time.
At the end of the lease term, the family moved out and worked with NMLA’s housing department to ensure that their move-out was entirely lawful and documented. A few weeks later, however, they were hit with a collections letter for nearly $5,000 of unlawful charges, fees, and the month’s rent that was waived while they had no heat, electricity or hot water. As immigrants, the family was terrified and feared that the apartment management could come after the little money they had.
After trying to resolve the situation on their own to no avail, the family received help from NMLA’s consumer practice group, who took up their case and began to investigate the unlawful debt collection activity. NMLA sued, and soon reached a settlement agreement, in which the apartment agreed the family didn’t owe the $5,000, and, additionally, agreed to pay the family $10,000.
New Mexicans Fight to Protect Their Housing Rights
Everyone deserves safe and affordable housing. In the midst of a housing crisis, too many New Mexicans are at risk of eviction and homelessness. This is especially true for residents of mobile home parks, which are the largest source of affordable housing in NM. Thousands of residents living in mobile home communities have encountered unlawful fines, illegal rules, and even eviction due to unscrupulous landlords. Now, residents like Mar Lena are standing up for their rights and pursuing a class action lawsuit with New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty that will declare these harmful practices illegal under the Mobile Home Park Act. Successful resolution of this case will help protect the homes of thousands of families statewide. NMCLP is also working with partners to expand protections under the law for all New Mexicans who rent their homes.
Everyone deserves safe and affordable housing. In the midst of a housing crisis, too many New Mexicans are at risk of eviction and homelessness. This is especially true for residents of mobile home parks, which are the largest source of affordable housing in NM. Thousands of residents living in mobile home communities have encountered unlawful fines, illegal rules, and even eviction due to unscrupulous landlords. Now, residents like Mar Lena are standing up for their rights and pursuing a class action lawsuit with New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty that will declare these harmful practices illegal under the Mobile Home Park Act. Successful resolution of this case will help protect the homes of thousands of families statewide. NMCLP is also working with partners to expand protections under the law for all New Mexicans who rent their homes.
Securing Fair Treatment
Thomas purchased a used car from a dealership on terms that the seller repair several problems with the vehicle. After signing a contract and taking possession of car, the dealership failed to repair the problems on several occasions. Thomas then returned the car to the dealership and demanded a refund of his $1,400 down payment. The dealership refused. Thomas came to New Mexico Legal Aid, who wrote a demand letter revoking the contract and seeking a refund. Thomas received a full refund of his down payment.
Thomas purchased a used car from a dealership on terms that the seller repair several problems with the vehicle. After signing a contract and taking possession of car, the dealership failed to repair the problems on several occasions. Thomas then returned the car to the dealership and demanded a refund of his $1,400 down payment. The dealership refused. Thomas came to New Mexico Legal Aid, who wrote a demand letter revoking the contract and seeking a refund. Thomas received a full refund of his down payment.
Securing Safety and Security
An unmarried couple was visiting Theresa in her public housing apartment when they had a heated argument. The boyfriend drove his truck into Theresa’s apartment while the girlfriend was trying to escape. The apartment was severely damaged. Even though Theresa was not at fault, she received an eviction notice and a bill for damages. When Theresa decided to move out, New Mexico Legal Aid negotiated an agreement with the landlord for Theresa to leave without owing any rent or damages. The incident was cleared from Theresa’s rental records, allowing her to seek a new place to live without a bad reference from her former landlord.
An unmarried couple was visiting Theresa in her public housing apartment when they had a heated argument. The boyfriend drove his truck into Theresa’s apartment while the girlfriend was trying to escape. The apartment was severely damaged. Even though Theresa was not at fault, she received an eviction notice and a bill for damages. When Theresa decided to move out, New Mexico Legal Aid negotiated an agreement with the landlord for Theresa to leave without owing any rent or damages. The incident was cleared from Theresa’s rental records, allowing her to seek a new place to live without a bad reference from her former landlord.