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Carbondale renter tells council out-of-state LLC raised rent 40% and left tenants facing utility shutoff notice
Summary
A Carbondale resident told council members on Sept. 9 that her apartment building was bought by a recently formed out-of-state LLC that raised rents about 40%, created leasing confusion and led to a water shutoff notice; she asked the council for tenant protections and clearer landlord oversight.
Lisonbee Degenhardt, a Carbondale resident who said she works at the local hospital, told the City Council on Sept. 9 that her rental building was sold to an out-of-state limited-liability company that increased rents roughly 40% and changed lease administration with minimal notice.
Degenhardt said the new owner is a recently created Wyoming LLC with ties to an LLC in Las Vegas. She said residents received new leases on multiple occasions in a short period and that she received a water shutoff notice for her building with only a few days' warning. She said she did not know the identity of the property owner and that the notice and leasing changes had created confusion about responsibilities for utility payments.
“That's never been part of my lease,” Degenhardt said, describing instructions from a property manager that tenants should contact the water department directly to resolve billing. She said a council member who saw her post on Facebook helped connect her with the building manager and prevented a shutoff.
Degenhardt asked the council to consider protections or policies for situations where out-of-state owners buy local rental properties and raise rents or alter tenant responsibilities without clear oversight.
The transcript records the public comment and the mayor's suggestion that Degenhardt contact the water department and email council members; no formal council action or staff response beyond that guidance is recorded in the provided transcript.
