Columbia tenants rally at City Hall on Sunday, claim landlord issues remain unresolved

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Members of the Columbia Tenants Union rallied outside City Hall on Sunday, stating problems with their landlord have continued despite raising concerns publicly a month ago.

Tenants said not only have their complaints gone unresolved, but some believe the situation has gotten worse.

“I wish the mayor and the people in this building would wake up to what’s happening in Columbia, Missouri,” tenant Bruce Ross said.

Tenants hoped city leaders could help address their concerns. However, the city’s Neighborhood Services department said its authority is limited.

According to the department’s website, Neighborhood Services focuses on code enforcement and strengthening neighborhoods.

The department’s manager, Leigh Kottwitz said, "The City does not take action on civil matters, including rent increases...We also have no authority for the relationship between the manager and the occupants."

In response, Columbia Tenants Union spokeswoman Vee Sanchez said she believes the community can help in other ways.

“There’s more than one way to support tenants who are fighting back,” Sanchez said. “We do want absolutely all of the community support as they go up against a large corporation,”

Last week, marked the end of a 14-day period tenants gave their landlord to respond to their concerns. Tenants said the response they received did not resolve the issues.

“The only thing we got was one email that basically told us we weren’t allowed to talk to our neighbors,” tenant Logan Moore said.

The email tenants received from Regal Communities stated:

“Recently, many tenants have expressed concerns about tenants or guests trespassing, soliciting, or otherwise disrupting the quiet of communities. We want to remind you that if you invite guests to the community, they are to abide by the applicable community rules and guidelines, including no soliciting. If your guest violates those rules or regulations, or bothers the quiet of the community, they may be asked to leave or be escorted from the community.”

The message also addressed questions residents had about lease and account information.

“We want to remind you that if you have any questions or would like to request certain information about your lot, lease, rent, charges, utilities, or account generally, you can submit your questions or requests by visiting the Regal Communities website,” the email stated. “You should also have access to certain information concerning your lease and ledger through your resident portal in Rent Café.”

Some tenants said they are now facing additional financial pressure.

Columbia Tenants Union spokeswoman Vee Sanchez said new fees were added just before rent was due.

“She [Robin Bealler, project manager] decided to add fees just the day before rent was due. Didn’t even send notices, just emailed people the day before. Hundreds of dollars,” Sanchez said. “Most people can’t just come up with 3 or $400 dollars in one day.”

One resident shared an email exchange with ABC 17 News showing messages from property management.

In one email, management told residents their rent deadline had been extended to Feb. 15. However, another message sent days later stated payment had to be made by 5 p.m. on Feb. 12, that same day or the tenant could face eviction.

Tenants said the situation has left many residents feeling frustrated and uncertain.

“Here we are struggling to make our rent,” Ross said.

Under Missouri law, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without a court order. However, eviction proceedings can begin if a tenant fails to pay rent, damages property or violates the terms of a lease.

If an eviction lawsuit is filed, tenants must receive notice and have the opportunity to appear in court before any eviction takes place.

ABC 17 News reached out to Regal Communities.