Whether you have been a resident here for 5+ years or just moved in 6 months ago, this rent increase Claypond Commons has announced is going to impact us all. Many of us work hard to pay our rent on time and keep our areas in good clean conditions. We have transformed our bare apartments into our own unique living spaces where we have raised children or cultivated friendships with neighbors. Our lives are built around our homes and now we are being forced to re-evaluate everything. Can I afford this new rent price? Is it worth it to stay? If I do decide to leave will I find a place in time that is fairly priced and in good condition? So many hard life changing questions that we all will have to answer. 

I am starting this petition because we deserve the basic necessity of reasonably priced housing. In fact, it is our right by law.

In the South Carolina Code of Laws Unannotated, Title 27 - Property and Conveyances, Chapter 40, Residential Landlord and Tenant Act Article 9, it states "(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) a landlord who rents more than four adjoining dwelling units on the premises may increase rent without there being a presumption of retaliation, provided that the increase applies uniformly to all tenants, or so long as the rent does not exceed the fair-market value.". After reading that I went to RentData.org and looked at what the fair market value is for a two bedroom apartment in our zip code, 29579. I found that the FMV is $1,062. The increase that Claypond Commons is suggesting is $695 above the FMV of this area. 

Which means, it is unlawful for them to increase our rent in this capacity. Please stand with me by signing this petition to negotiate a reasonable and fair rent price for our community here at Claypond Commons. Thank you for your support!