36-year-old Matt Budge is dying from a rare form of cancer, and is trying to move his family from their rented apartment in McKinney, Texas to live with relatives in Utah before he passes away.
When he contacted the management at his apartment complex, The Mansions at Stonebridge Ranch, he was told that he would not be allowed out of the lease contract early, no matter what the issue.
If he were to break the contract and leave early, his family would be responsible for roughly $9000 in rent and fees - including the reimbursement of a $75 credit that was applied to his rent to cover the damages from a water leak.
Spokespeople for the apartment complex have said that while they sympathize with his plight, there is “nothing they can do” to help the family out.
Sure there is.
They could obtain proper medical proof that Budge is terminally ill, and upon verification, they could allow his lease to end when he moves out, and waive any future charges or fees, minus the security deposit, etc.
But no, that would make for too nice of a headline in the paper.
They’d rather endure the PR firestorm that will most likely occur when this hits the mainstream media and the blogosphere.
Think that The Mansions at Stonebridge Ranch should do the right thing and let the Budge family out of their lease early? Let them know:
Call the rental office: (972) 562-8887
Send them an e-mail: leasing@mansionsatstonebridge.com
Use the contact form on their site: Contact the Mansions at Stonebridge.
Contact the corporate office: Western Rim Property Services
9 comments ↓
Thank you for making the property owner’s contact information known.
I have emailed both the Mansions and the corporate office, Western Rim. I called the rental office twice. The first time, I was sent by the receptionist straight to a voice mail. The second time, I was told by the “leasing agent” that I could “make a donation” to “Matt” on his blog, if I really wanted to do something to help him.
This company is one of the most cruel, cold-hearted residential leasing companies I have ever encountered.
Yes, there is a fund set up for Matt, as well as a blog (see below) - but the point isn’t for people to make donations - it’s for the management company to show some compassion for a family in need, and waive the lease restrictions and fees. Good for you for calling - I plan to as well.
Matt’s blog:
http://matthewbudge.blogspot.com/
I find it ironic that the owner of Western Rim Property, Marcus Hiles, can give out over $30,000 in political contributions this year (http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/marcus-hiles.asp?cycle=08) and donate over $1,000,000 to Peperdine University, yet he can’t forgo $9,000 in penalties to let a dying man out of his lease. The little sleezebag is also behind erecting a 2400 sq.ft. billboard 100′ high in a residential area in Round Rock (http://www.monsteronthegreen.com/updates.htm) - 57 feet higher than Texas law allows. It is obvious that this heartless cretin only parts with his money when he gains influence from it.
I called the rental office today, tried to get to a live person via the phone menu, but all extensions went to voicemail. Guess they’re hiding under their desks from all the bad PR.
It looks like an anonymous donor has come up with $9000 to help the Budge family out. According to this news article, the management company at the complex still has no comment.
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa080331_jh_budgesamaritan.1c84cc23.html
It amazes me the lack of shame and compassion some human animals have. You know I just read a story about a cashier donating a kidney to a woman she barely knew and just when I think humanity might be pulling itself out of the muck, I read this. I have more respect for crack whores than this company.
Please release Matt Budge from his lease. Show some humanitarianism instead of corporate greed. Dig was down and find your heart and use it. You’ll sleep better at night…promise.
Does anyone know of a governmental office that listens, and hopefully acts, to valid complaints against large apartment complexes?
Get this. Marcus Hiles, the CEO, has been listed as the Chair for then Pepperdine University Board of Visitors!
The Board also includes Angeleo Mozilo, Founder of Countrywide Bank (we all remember them). And the Law School numbers among its fine graduates Rod Blogoevich,
the impeached Illinois governor!!! All this from an “ethics, faith-based university? I can taste the bile now.
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