LOTT, Texas — Another tenant who lived under the Lott Housing Authority (LHA) is speaking out after claiming to have received false violation notices.
Stacey Soefje told 6 News she lived under the LHA for about two years. During that time, she received 19 leasing violations ranging from apartment infestation and a lack of housekeeping to putting other tenants in danger.
Soefje said those violations were unjustified and living under the LHA has been traumatizing.
"We moved because of our safety," Soefje explained. "We've had a neighbor spray paint our tree, we've had pets die, my children are behind in school and they suffer from anxiety, as I do too. I'm on high alert."
Soefje also claims that LHA staff entered her apartment with a master key without her consent.
Soefje went to the LHA board of directors about her concerns but nothing was done. She also claims the LHA Executive Director, Deborah Goffney, made false allegations against her.
"They come in when you're not home and then you get in trouble for things and they don't let you know," Soefje continued.
Soefje, along with two other tenants including Adelia Martinez, planned to file a lawsuit against the LHA for similar claims including false leasing violation notices and discrimination.
Their attorney, Brandon Mason, was expected to attend the trial of Martinez on Thursday, Sept. 5 as the LHA board commissioners filed a lawsuit against her for refusing to complete her annual certification. Mason failed to appear in court to represent Martinez and she ended up losing her case. She is not at risk of being evicted.
Martinez had five days to appeal this decision but LHA lawyers told 6 News appeal paperwork has yet to be sent to their office.
6 News got in contact with David Morrison and Matthew Wright, the Lott Housing Authority's legal representation. They explained that the LHA legally had the right to evict Martinez.
"It's the same principle under landlord tenant law with the lease that if there's something that the lease requires that you do, you have to do it," Wright explained. "You're given an opportunity to correct it. It's just if you don't respond to it and it's close to a year or nine months, that's a pretty long time."
Morrison and Wright recommend any person under a leasing contract to rectify any sort of violation they get from their leasing manager as soon as they can to avoid eviction.
"[Martinez] could have actually called the attorneys that are helping her with the eviction and asked them to help her file her recertification," Wright added. "That would have been a lot less costly and a lot less time."
"No one ever wants to evict," Wright continued. "It's just at some point, you have to look at the greater good, which is to protect all the residents."
Soefje believes she can win her case. Because Mason failed to attend Martinez's trial, Soefje is now seeking new representation. She encourages people to do research and know their tenant rights.
"If you move into the apartments, be aware, be aware that the tenants have rights," Soefje told 6 News. "There are landlord tenant laws that need to be followed."