Breathing

Things are a bit less stressful here now that we know that at least the ex parte order is on it's way.

There is, of course, still a process through which she could fight it and we would still end up at a hearing... but it is rather more complicated that someone that can't change a light bulb, turn a timer knob, or push a tap the other way (in a full YEAR!) might reasonably be expected to manage.

Would rather she put her energy toward finding another place (although honestly, I pity whoever gets stuck with her.) Pretty sure it won't be any where here in the Harbour though... small town news does have a way of making it's way 'round.

What really irks me about people & situations like this is that  they cause so much harm to people who are in legitimate need of a break. It is far too easy to say that's it...we will never rent to anyone on any kind of assistance again. Totally understandable, especially when this is far from the only tenant-from-hell-on-assistance we (and many many other landlords as well) have dealt with. It becomes easy to stigmatize all prospective tenants on assistance the same way...

...which means that even those people who do truly need assistance, and will appreciate being given a break and a safe, reasonably priced place to live, and who might actually be able to find there way out of the system with a bit of help wind up being punished for the behaviours of these scam artists.

It is not fair ...but what can I do?

I was a single mom on welfare once upon a time. It wasn't called OW then... there was general welfare or mother's allowance .... and it wasn't for very long. But it was not fun and I was relieved to be off it and get back to working. Still ran into plenty of housing issues along the way though - people not wanting to rent to single mothers...even single moms with jobs.... 

I keep trying to give others a chance... advocate for them with hubby when he is resistant and all that fun stuff...

and we keep getting burned.

Sure does make it hard to keep trying.