UPFRONT: HITS & MISSES

APARTMENT FINANCE TODAY • APRIL 2008

Dying Man Who Couldn't Break Lease Gets Help from Widow

A McKinney, Texas, man is dying of cancer, and after trying to break his lease at The Mansions at Stonebridge Ranch, a manager at the complex told him and his family that it would cost them $9,000 in fees. The bill included $3,200 (two months in future rent) and then thousands more. Matt Budge’s numerous appeals to the complex and its owners, Coppell, Texas-based Western Rim Property Services, remained unanswered.

After the story aired on local and national television, donations poured in to help the 36-year-old and his family move to Utah with relatives. One big donor announced on the KLUV radio morning radio show she would pay the entire bill. The donor reportedly is a wealthy widow who wants to remain anonymous. The Budges only wanted the fees waived. Donations were never expected.

“We have been amazed at the response of people who have wanted to help, and we’ve appreciated that,” said Budge.

An agent at the apartment complex’s management office told APARTMENT FINANCE TODAY she could not comment on the story and said anyone with questions about the firm’s policies can write to P.O. Box 426, Colleyville, TX 76034.