Family Landlords Raise the Rent to Force One Sister Out
“What is this about?” Arthur asked, his voice a low, apologetic murmur. “Helen, you said on the phone there was an emergency.”
“Your daughter has cleared out the entire apartment,” Helen said, pushing past him into the hallway. “She took the stove, the fridge, even the light fixtures. She left Vanessa with nothing but bare walls.”
“We are going to discuss this in the dining room,” I said, walking past my father.
The dining room table was dark polished mahogany, cold to the touch. I sat down at one end and laid the manila folder flat on the wood. Helen sat opposite me, her hands folded over her phone. Vanessa stood near the sideboard, her fingers twisting the strap of her purse.
Arthur remained standing near the door, his key fob still clicking against his knuckles.
“Lauren,” Arthur said softly. “You cannot just take the appliances. Those are part of the property value.”
“They are my personal property,” I said. “I paid for them. Here are the receipts for the refrigerator, the stove, the microwave, and the three light fixtures I replaced.”
