BALTIMORE — Austin Lingerfeldt is a recent graduate of the Peabody Academy.
He was applying for jobs as a music teacher when schools and almost everything else shut down.
“Anyone whose job involves people coming to them is sitting at home waiting to get their job back,” Lingerfeldt said.
While looking for a job teaching he was working two jobs to pay the bills.
“It was a serving job and a tattoo shop job and they are both shut down right now due to all of this.”
He said he was short about $80 in rent for last month and said he now owes over $300 in late fees.
It is important to note that there is no executive order not to charge renters late fees— although some leasing companies have decided not to.
In an email, a leasing manager for Waterloo apartments said they will continue to charge him the 5 percent late fees, and said if courts open before the end of his lease they will immediately serve an eviction notice.
“I’ve never seen so many late fees for any apartment complex from any apartment complex, landlord, leasing law office. I’ve lived in Baltimore the last 8 years. It’s all happened in the past month.”
Governor Larry Hogan announced a 90 day deferral for mortgage payments where no late fees will be charged and no negative information will be put on credit reports.
“Today’s order extends the prohibition on residential evictions to include commercial and industrial evictions and also prohibits the repossession of cars, trucks, and mobile homes,” Hogan said.
Lingerfeldt—like so many who have been forced out of work is hoping for a speedy end to the quarantine and more understanding from everyone.
We reached out to the Waterloo Place Apartments but haven’t heard back.
The Maryland Multi-housing Association compiled a list of nonprofits who can help with rent assistance.
Click here for more information.
