There are so many issues out there to have an opinion on. Healthcare, politics, global warming, and hundreds more. There are also many issues alluding to Philadelphia. Homelessness, the new casino being built, and even the school system. I am not going to lie. I am not one to get involved in issues. I cringe at the thought of politics. Indifference runs through my veins when one mentions my opinion on health care. It may sound ignorant, but I am a 20 year old girl. My worries have to do with my family, friends, university, and what I am going to wear the next day. But, there is something that strikes my chords every now and then, and that issue is landlords and Philadelphia housing. If there is one thing that I can take a stand on, it's how landlords undermind and mistreat their Temple University tenants. With this issue, I can take a stand.
To most adults, college kids are merely... kids. We don't know what we are doing. All we care about is booze, sex, drugs, and rock and roll. We go to class and come home and pound a couple beers. Wrong. Completely wrong. And when I say they are wrong, I mean they have no idea who they are dealing with. Just because we are college students,does not mean they can take advantage of us. We are adults fully capable of being treated with the same respect and altitude as the local who lives next door to me.
Here is what gets me angry. And I know I am not the only one with this issue. First of all, I am paying hundreds of dollars too much in my rent. I personally pay $600 for my room alone, and I do not even live in an entire house. It is a duplex. My roommates only rent the top two floors of four total. My dad who lives in the suburbs has an entire apartment : two bedrooms, one bath, one very large kitchen/dining area/living area and plenty of closet space... for $600. And for the same price I am living in a small dimensional room. How does this even make sense? Yes, I understand I live in a city. Not just any city, but Philadelphia. I expect it to be more expensive. But $600? Please, I know where that money is going. Into the housing development's pockets.
Bad service also comes to mind. I know of a Philadelphia housing group who's secretary lied to the tenants. She told them they could sign a month-to-month lease (because some of the tenants would be subletting after studying abroad). She also said they would not have to keep the water bill in their name and that the landlord was responsible for that. Two years later, the tenants found out she lied (and they were bombarded with two years worth of water bills). Come on! Is it because they think we are stupid and won't figure out that they are being lazy? Perhaps. And when these tenants call with a problem, a serious problem, I expect the maintenance man to show up two weeks later only to complain. And when PGW tells us we have a gas leak, maintenance man PLEASE do not turn everything back on. The professional gas company turned it off for a reason. For our health and safety. Something you clearly do not care about.
This may have seemed like venting, and for that I apologize. But this is an issue that exists within my city. I know dozens of peers who attend Temple University who feel the same way I do. We get no respect and the housing companies treat us like we are insignificant. Well guess what, we are significant. We are the ones putting money in your wallet so you can pay your bills. If only you didn't charge us so much, maybe we could pay our's.
I'm not the only one who feels this way, just check out this site alluding to the fact that landlords can be terrible. Site #1.
Other than that Philly, you are too kind.
xoxo
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