Units Available
Joy-Glen Apartments are nestled between quiet green mountains. Units are coveted for roominess, light, and all-inclusive utilities. Monitored surveillance cameras and twenty-foot electrified razor wire perimeter fences ensure safety. The waiting list to get in is longer than a dragon’s tail.
Management insists applicants read the fine print of their leases. Most do.
Management has found a way to make units available in perpetuity, through The Annual Summer Solstice Lottery.
It is Jane and forty-nine other tenants’ last day as residents. Lottery numbers were posted last week; next week is The Annual Yard Sale; New Neighbors Day the following.
[99 words]
Afterword: I foresee this sort of set-up will happen as the housing shortage gets more critical.
At first I had the “winners” of the lottery put to death, but changed it to forced homelessness.
Question: if you had a chance at living in an affordable luxury apartment but knew every year you could lose it, would you do it?
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao-Talk 
I definitely wouldn’t do it! I cant imagine living from year to year with the threat of losing my home looming each year! Great story Li!
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I would have to give it some serious thought. Depends on the availability of other places, I guess. Maybe get on a waiting list of a more permanent complex? Maybe this will be standard practice at some point :(
Thanks, CA.
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Starting July 1, our apartment complex is setting down rules that are ridiculous. All of us are angry, but as you say, we could lose our home if we protest much. I don’t know what will happen. It’s uncomfortable. I think this administration is filtering down through businesses and homes and it’s disconcerting.
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I’m very sorry to hear that’s happening at your place. It seems like all protections for tenants have been thrown out and replaced by extortive business practices that nobody is able to protest (unless you have a lawyer that works cheap or on contingency at your service.) You’re right, if you fight them, they may find a loophole to toss you out with. I totally agree, the orange faux deity has set the tone :(
Cheryl, you are not the first person I’ve heard from that is getting extorted, coerced, and controlled with their apartments. One cousin in AZ said that the owners would study what the market could get and then raised their rent accordingly — on a monthly basis! Another friend who lives in an aging building downtown pays not only property taxes but HOA fees. They are rebuilding it one thing at a time (plumbing, heating, pool, recently elevator) but doing it by tacking on additional “special repair charges.” There aren’t that many condos in the building (30, I think?) so that is a big burden on each of the tenants.
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I like living where I am and at my age, moving would be a real pain.
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Glad to hear it, James, and I hope it stays secure for you.
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I don’t find this sort of arrangement appealing. But your story is very interesting. 🫶🏼👍🏼
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Sadje, I totally understand. I like the fact that it’s still an optional arrangement.
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Very true.
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Fabulous story Kisa if not slightly unnerving – I couldn’t take the stress of the possibility of loosing my home – even in luxury ☹️
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I hear you, Ange. Thank you.
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Just seen I’ve changed your name to Kisa – i must check my responses 😆
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Ange, you can call me anything, just don’t call me late for supper ;)
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😆❤️
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Great story- but please do not give landlords any ideas!
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Thanks, V. Oops! ;)
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You can bet your life that your eviction and some serious illness will coincide. That’s sod’s law, as we say. This is an interesting concept Li, well done for coming up with something fresh every week.
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Sandra, the housing situation for so many is causing a fair amount of stress, and as the population increases, so will “sod’s law.” (not sure what it means but it sounds right for the practices described here) Thank you very much <3
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Oh dear, I definitely got the vibe of the ‘winners’ being put to death, but I’m not sure forced eviction is a whole lot better. We lost our lease when I was 8 months pregnant and my husband and I both said ‘never again’ and bought our first house. Luckily we were able to. So no, I wouldn’t like the uncertainty of Eviction Day looming.
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Jen, so sorry to hear that happened to you. Totally understandable your decision.
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Perhaps if I needed a year to find a more permanent home.
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Seems like a reasonable decision, Jude.
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It is an intriguing occurrence though
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i’d take the chance, why not? just do it and worry later.
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Plaridel, it would be totally dependent on what my circumstances were before deciding whether or not to take the chance. It sounds like your circumstances would be yes (fictionally, of course.)
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Life is a lottery, by the look of this arrangement. Do the previous residents move into the homes of in new incoming people? I mean where do the go?
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James, your last question is the key one. Thanks for giving the story some thought.
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Anon _ James.
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I’ll stay right where I am thank you! Interesting idea though.
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I hear you!
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Excellent story and please, keep it to yourself! Don’t be giving any landlords ideas, okay?
You know, I had been considering to eventually sell my house and lease and stories like this make me rethink the whole idea…
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Thanks, Dale, and oops, hope no landlords are reading.
I have contemplated selling the house and moving into a tidy little apartment in town, but like you, seeing what I’m seeing, home ownership is vastly better than being under the thumb of a landlord. It’s essentially feudalism.
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Seriously. My accountant keeps telling me to sell but you know what? Taking care of a house, gardening, etc. will surely help keep me young, too. I just dunno that I want to be at their mercy!
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No! The thought of moving into another house makes me ill.
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An interesting story, Li. But no… and no, definitely no for me!
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I hear you. I would hate to be caught in such circumstances.
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Ooooooooo terible
What a horrid way to live
Nicely written
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Thanks, Laurie.
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Dear Lisa,
I don’t think I’d want to live with the uncertainty. Thought provoking story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, totally understandable. Thanks very much.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Your story reminds me of several different sci fi books and or films… where one isn’t allowed to age. One Star Trek episode I think the end number was 60. And then your family had a life celebration for you.
I have no answers for the questions though. I’m happy where I am. I’ve visited some very nice retirement communities… one was even rather luxurious. But I’m going to stay in my home as long as I can.
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Jules, it is a dystopian scenario just about any way you look at it. I’ve weighed my options over time and staying put is the best option for me also.
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Unfortunately, life is often precarious. I think I would take the place for as long as I could have it, then look for another. Thought-provoking, Lisa. Sadly, some people have so little surety in life.
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Indeed, my friend. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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