Threat of action ends rent dispute

During the December snowstorms, Carlos and his son had to leave their north-Seattle apartment for over two weeks after a pipe burst and flooded the place. After the repairs were done, the owners – major Sound-area property developers – refused to let him deduct rent for the time they had been forced out. Carlos argued that this was unfair and withheld the money anyway, but the company kept insisting he had to pay. He then joined with the Solidarity Network and we prepared for an action campaign. He informed management that he did not intend to pay, and that he was now involved with the Solidarity Network. On Wednesday January 28, two days before the first planned action, we received word that the company had agreed to back off and let Carlos keep the money.