(News Alert) Landlord Gives Miami Beach’s Elderly Tenants Just Two Months to Move Out
Eviction Notice Shocks Long-Term Residents
Forty-two families residing at the Riviera Apartments in Miami Beach, Florida, are scrambling to find new homes after receiving eviction notices from their landlord. Many of these residents, some of whom have lived in the building for over 10 or 20 years, now have less than two months to vacate their apartments, according to a CBS News Miami report.
Personal Stories of Displacement
One resident, Milagros Santos, who has lived in her one-bedroom apartment for 23 years and suffers from Parkinson’s disease, must leave by August 31. “They don’t say anything, everybody needs to move, that’s it,” she told CBS News Miami.
Many residents, like Santos, are older and have been paying low rent for years. This sudden eviction has left them facing not just housing insecurity but also significant financial challenges.
Rising Costs and Housing Insecurity
The eviction notice, dated July 2, informed residents that they must vacate by August 31. The law office of Roth and Scholl, representing the Riviera landlords, provided no reason for the abrupt termination of the tenants’ leases. However, Zeneida Guzman, a 10-year resident, suspects the decision is related to the area’s redevelopment, which could lead to higher rental prices.
“We just don’t know where to go. We have called places, but the rent is extremely high,” Guzman told CBS. The average rent for a studio apartment in Miami Beach is $1,870 per month, which is almost the entire average Social Security check of $1,869.77.
Challenges for Older Adults
Housing costs are a significant burden for many older Americans. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University, nearly 11.2 million older adult households spent 30% or more of their income on housing in 2021, the highest level ever recorded.
As people age, their expenses often increase, particularly for health-related needs. Even with Medicare, many older adults require additional support not fully covered, such as caregiving services and home modifications. The median cost for a home health aide is $27 per hour, often requiring a minimum purchase of four hours, costing over $100 per day.
Legal Recourse and Community Appeal
CBS News Miami consulted Florida real estate attorney Fausto Rosales about the situation. Rosales confirmed that the landlord is legally allowed to give a 60-day notice, as current Florida law only requires 30 days’ notice for month-to-month rental agreements. He suggested that residents try to negotiate with the landlord for a resolution.
“We see these things all the time,” Rosales told CBS News. Guzman expressed a desire for the landlord to show some compassion, given the long-term residency of many tenants. “We’re asking for a little compassion, a little more time,” she said. “The ideal time would be three to six months.”
Conclusion
The sudden eviction of long-term residents at the Riviera Apartments highlights the precarious nature of housing for older adults, especially in high-cost areas like Miami Beach. With little legal recourse, the affected residents are appealing to their landlord for more time and understanding as they seek new homes.