In June 2019, a 65 year-old woman from Detroit, June Walker, found a home where the rent was manageable. It cost $15,000 because it needed repairs.
After receiving the deed from a property manager, Maurice, which seemingly came from the owner, Derrick, Walker signed a rent-to-own lease. She moved into the home and fixed it up.
In April, when the time had come to switch the deed over, Walker couldn’t reach Derrick. She tried to call Maurice, who usually picked up her rent money, but his phone number was inoperable.
In June, a trespassing summons was issued to her through the mail. That’s when she found out she may have been scammed.
Documents reveal that the home was purchased in 2017 by a business in Pennsylvania. On June 2, it was sold to a Florida company. Neither business knew that Walker was making payments.
A decision on the eviction has been delayed. Walker’s attorney said she may not be given the home unless she buys it or rents it from the new owners.
I don’t understand why this doesn’t fall under victims’ compensation. Not like these companies aren’t going to be compensated themselves with our taxes!