Another big month for calls/emails to the tenant hotline with a 12% increase in new contacts over February 2024.
Here are the top 10 contact reasons for February, compared to February, 2024.
| Contact Reason | Number of Contacts | Change from Feb. ’24 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Evictions | 447 | + 30% |
| 2. Repairs | 442 | + 20% |
| 3. Break Lease | 142 | Same |
| 4. Security Deposits | 121 | – 9% |
| 5. Lease Questions | 115 | + 14% |
| 6. Financial Aid | 104 | + 56% |
| 7. Landlord Notice to Vacate | 89 | + 4% |
| 8. Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) | 82 | + 65% |
| 9. Heat | 70 | + 70% |
| 10. Fees | 67 | + 21% |
Most categories showed increases with eight out of our top ten contact reasons increasing, and seven of those eight with double-digit percentage increases.
Eviction filings remain much higher than last year’s totals. There was a 15% increase in residential evictions filed throughout the state from this February compared to last February. The 30% increase in eviction contact calls shows tenants reaching out to figure out their legal and practical options when facing the possibility of losing their home.
Closely tied to evictions is the surge in contacts from tenants looking for financial assistance. HOME Line doesn’t provide financial assistance, but we’re asked about the issue with increasing frequency.
For the first time in HOME Line’s history, CRP (Certificate of Rent Paid/the ‘Renter’s Refund’) questions were in the top-10 category for a month. This isn’t surprising as the CRP system has been revamped and is now covered in a tenant’s traditional state income tax reporting due April 15th.
Heat calls were up a whopping 70% over last February, most likely because there were so many bitterly cold days this February. When the temperatures plummet, furnaces around the state get overworked and fail to provide adequate heat.
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