On August 10, 2020, Sanctuary Apartments (owned by Security Properites) Sent our an email demanding the removal of “offensive” signs.  The signs in question were Black lives matter or related to BLM.

They quoted a rule:

“XII. SIGNS. Resident shall not display signs, exterior lights or markings on Premises. No awnings or other projections shall be attached to the outside of the building of which Premises is a part.”

1.  That same rule mentions awnings/projections, and exterior lights.  All of those items can be found on the premises (and have been up for over a year without consequence or request for removal).

2. Most of the signs are inside the units, against the window.  To enforce a rule such as “no signs inside a unit” they would have to ensure the entire unit was free of signs...bedrooms/bathrooms/etc.  That would be impossible to enforce, leading one to believe the lease is focusing on the exterior of the building, balconies & Patios, and exterior windows and doors.

3.  Stating that BLM is offensive puts them on the wrong side of the issue.  Do better Security Properties.  If you don’t want to support BLM that’s your own racism to deal with, but don’t force that on your tenants.

Action Items:

1.  Clarify your lease language to define what “premises” refers to.  If it is the entire building including private residences that is a violation to our privacy.  If you only mean exterior then the signs on the interior of windows are in accordance with the lease.

2. Cease picking and choosing when you enforce lease addendums because something offends you.  That isn’t right.  If you enforce one aspect and not another, you are in the wrong.

*Help us hold Sanctuary Apartments and Security Properties accountable for their unjust practices.  Sign the petition.

We know their are greater issues right now, and if you only allow yourself to sign one petition a week then definitely go with a more vital one.  

We believe the little issues lead to the acceptance of the bigger ones.  When we continually turn a blind eye to the small things, it builds and we eventually turn our heads to the grander issues.