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I lived in Austin TX in an apartment for five years. After COVID the rent skyrocketed by 40%!!! There was NO improvement in the grounds—the water fountains were still broken, the gym ceiling had water damage from a AC unit leak, and there was absolutely no stability with who worked in the leasing office due to the high turnover from horrendous Corporate employee policies (I got a copy of their policy book). This was NOT a cheap area to live, Lakeway TX. The job I held as a Paralegal in a prestigious law firm paid me $53k gross income, I had to chase down the managing attorney to get a yearly review and talk about a raise (they sung my praises verbally every day but refused to show that via an income increase). I ended up not being able to afford the apartment in a safe community from extremely low pay (attorneys were clearing over $150k annual gross income). There was no ability to negotiate with the Property Management Company because they were using RealPage like every other Property Management Company in Texas which effectively fixed the rates they were demanding for apartment units. I’ve moved back in with my elderly parents because I cannot find an affordable apartment in a safe community (as a woman I have been sexually assaulted and stalked before, safety is PARAMOUNT for me and many other women). This is SO FUCKED UP that Tenants have NO legal protections or leverage against multi million dollar Companies. Texas has virtually NO protections. Property Management Companies are absolutely at fault for driving Americans onto the streets and underpasses because they’re greedy for money. How can Property Management Companies get away with charging MORE than the median income for the area?! Y’all need to reign in Companies. Don’t push people to become violent because of YOUR LACK OF ACTION to protect Americans from predatory Companies.