NY1 For You: Displaced Renters Face Financial Hardship
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Some families are asking for rent relief from their landlords after Sandy hit them with unexpected expenses. But simply finding out whether or not that's even possible has proven difficult. NY1's Susan Jhun has the story.Like many, Hurricane Sandy left Battery Park residents Gregory Barker, Regina Jorgensen and their 4-month-old baby out in the cold.
"For us and any number of other people who don't have family in the country, you have nothing but hotels to turn to at this point," Jorgensen said.
The displacement has turned into a financial burden for the family who is now paying both rent and hotel expenses.
"Despite requests, I think, from a lot of the tenants saying 'please can we put a hold on the rent until we're allowed back,' they went ahead and processed rent this week on us," Barker said. "They said they haven't made a decision on whether or not we'll be charged rent ongoing."
With resources severely stretched, tenants say at the bare minimum they need information.
"You don't know how long this is going to drag out and you've only got so much resources available to you," Barker said.
"At least give us some information whether they're going to pro rate it for next month and give us a discount in December just so you know," Jorgensen said. "It's going to take a while to get back from insurance what we are covered for with the hotels and what not."
NY1 called The Moinian Group, management for the Ocean building at 1 West Street for comment, but haven't heard back.
In the meantime, as the renters wait to return home, they say that despite their financial situation they feel fortunate.
"I think our plight at the end of the day is a lot more bearable than a lot of other people in the area."