Karen - You know that I just lost one of my best friends to cancer, and this story makes me sick.  I would just break the lease and let the apartment complex deal with it however they see fit.  I cannot imagine them prevailing in a court of law over a dying or dead man.

I know Jason, I just read your very touching tribute and blog this morning. As Christians we want to do the right thing in any circumstance because we answer to a higher authority so therefore I know that this family is trying and maybe through others who are called and inspired to action, the apartment complex will do right by them.

I just wrote the reporter to get the name, phone and email of a contact at this un-named apartment complex. I will update if I get it, but one way or another I will get it.

I think they will do the right thing. Not because of pressure but in their hearts they do KNOW the right thing.

That's an encouraging thought Robert. Thank you.

How the apartment complex cannot have some compassion and common sense in this case is beyond me Karen.

Karen, I agree with Jason. I can't imagine that they would take him or his family to court over $9,000 and win. Just put your faith in the lord and he will take care of it.

Greed Gary is all I can say motivates some. You would think under these circumstances something could be done. We'll see.

Hi Charles, The law is the law and contracts are binding - compassion is quite another thing. This is really the last thing the family needs and will do what they have to, it really isn't about the money here, but being human. Things can change and people can make it happen.

I JUST EMAILED LORI MY STRONG COMMENTS.  I CAN ONLY HOPE IT HELPS THEM DO THE RIGHT THING.  THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN GETTING THE WORD OUT.  STACIE

Thank you Stacie.

Karen, how sad! Yes, you would imagine that under some special circumstances, that it is only "human" and "compassionate" that Matt is let out of his lease. I do understand about contracts and binding, but I feel that humans make rules and humans can change them too. Matt could just leave if he wanted too and just because he is a nice guy and told the apartment about it, he is not let out. There are plenty of people that run away from leases. I am not suggesting that Matt do that, but all I'm saying is that apartment complexes then do eventually write those charges off as bad debt, etc. So on their books, I do feel that the $9000 can be written off as something.

Karen, this makes no logical sense. Apparently the apartment complex managers have never heard of the phrase "What comes around goes around". We will all be judged later on our actions here on earth.

Karen...I saw this story last night on the news. I can't believe that some people are just heartless. Thanks so much for doing this post. I do pray that some good will come out of it.

Loreena you are right about contracts being legal and binding but so totally correct that humans can change that. This is not about trying to get out of a lease for this family, just making his last few months more bearable closer to family and $9,000 will surely be of help in that process.

I agree Jill, I hope they will understand that the ultimate cost of this is much more than monetary.

Kim please spread the word in the McKinney area. As a McKinney Realtor you have a great voice. Thank you for reading.

The most effective way of dealing with this is via TV media.  Send the story to CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC and any others you can locate.  Bad press makes for a great news story, unless of course the bad press is about your company. 

I promise this has worked in the past and will work here too if you can just reach the right folks at each of these outlets.

Good advice Guy. This was a story on our local news channel 8 last night and I will follow up to see if this can be picked up further. It is my hope that the coverage so far will stir the company to action in a compassionate way.

Update: The story is getting picked up by local talk radio and I received a call from someone in Atlanta who said they saw the report on CNN. We are praying this comes to a compassionate resolution. Thank you to all who have already written to the property management company!

Keep us who live away updated Karen,thanks for brining something of this sort to our attention. Sometimes people who are ill just can't think to fix problems and need help. I am speaking from experience. Thankfully I am well and able to take care of business again.I feel for this man and his family, the stress of cancer alone is more than one needs.

i'm an atheist but i am sickened by what the complex is doing to these people. i understand the bottom line but then also there's compassion we all have to show. I will write them a note.

I'm glad to know you are in better health Nicola, I will keep you posted for sure.

Thank you for writing a note Pat!

If I were Matt, the moving truck would be backed up to my apartment right now.

While I wouldn't normally condone breaking of a lease.... I know that I would want to get my family moved. And I would tell them good luck collecting the fees

I'm sure the family has already started their transition but they do want to do the right thing. This is not something the family will need following them especially with all they have on their plate right now. Thanks for your thoughts Tom.

I just read this story and it is horrible. I emailed the property and the management company. This company just made a very bad moral decision (most important) and a horrible business one as well. These folks are in my prayers. "Guy" is totally right about the media. I am in Atlanta and I have seen this story twice today!

Hi  Zachery. I believe in the heart of people as wanting to be good and compassionate and I am praying for a just resolution to this. One caller on a radio show here in Dallas this AM offered to pay the entire balance, so I know there are many good people in the world. You can follow  the story at the links above.

I am not a Christian.  I have NO use for religion.  Religion offend pits US against THEM.  Having said this, I'd like to note that I sent an email to The Mansions leasing office.  I expressed my disbelief in not allowing the Budge family to break their lease.  As a nation we can bail out Wall Street and pay for an endless war but we can't seem to help a familly with a terminally ill father.  What has America become?  I mean...really?...

I saw the Budge story on CNN this evening...and it just saddens me.  One gentleman noted above that he does not condone breaking a lease.  I'd like to differ.  I live in the state of Michigan; this state is officially in a recession.  There are so few jobs...what is a family to do that needs to leave the state to find work?  I mean really?....I say again...we can bail out Wall Street...build a billion dollar embassy ( that will probably be blown up) in Iraq but we can't help American citizens.  SAD...just So Sad....

Thank you for voicing your opinion to the Mansions leasing office Marcia and you make excellent points on how we can as a nation spend billions on things and war but we can't help our own in circumstances as these. It truly is sad. 

Being that you commented on my blog I'd like to address the first part of your comment as well. I'd like to tell you that I believe my faith unifies me to every person on this planet, believer or not, my faith does not pit me against anyone and those who use "religion" as weapon are wrong. I am truly sorry if you have ever felt offended or hurt by someone based on their "religion".

That is not the message of Jesus.

He came as the ultimate servant to all mankind and in turn, has commanded his followers to do the same. It is by free will I came to this belief and it is by faith I carry on with the promise that this is not the end on this earth. I answer to an authority higher than any man made law.

Thank you again for your comments.

You are a good person, Karen.  Thank you for sharing this story.  There are many good intentioned people out there.  May God bless him and his family during this difficult time.

As a PR professional, who has managed all levels of crises, I am absolutely stunned with how all of this has been handled by Western Rim and Marcus Hiles.  Hiding from a controversy is no way to handle it - it just fuels the fire.  I'm happy I'm NOT their PR person.  I'd have to fire them as a client for having so little integrity.  Letting the family out of their lease without penalty is the RIGHT thing to do - the decision that shows character and integrity.  All Western Rim has shown is callousness and greed. 

A very generous benefactor has stepped in to cover the $9,000 for the Budge family, but that doesn't mean we all shouldn't still stay on this.  Some call it karma, some call it divine justice - but whatever you believe - what goes around, does come around.  And this payback will be vicious.

Karen, thank you for helping spread the word on this.  The Budge family is in my prayers.

I live in Tananger Norway and saw the story on CNN. I sent a message to the property company and the apts. I hope they do the right thing. God bless you all who send messages on this families behalf!

Thank you Abby.

Pamela you have obviously dealt with handling situations for your clients and what you say here speaks volumes for others and our feelings as well. I believe as you, that we do reap what we sow. Thank you for  your comments and prayers.

Hi Niki, thank you for sending the company a message from across the globe. Your hope is ours, that they do the right thing.

You all are realtors, or are in the business.  I know that I had to take fair housing classes as part of my real estate requirements to become a realtor.  As you know you have to have a level playing field for all.  If they alter from their course they could leave their company open to a large liability, even with the state.  They havn't broken the law.  Banks won't let you out of a financial obligation due to illness.  They may work with you to make special arrangements for payment.  Have they asksed for a special payment plan?  I do agree with the earlier poster that it is a shame our country has been resolved to play big brother to the world.  We have many people here at home who need help, such as the Budges.  Our law makers sometimes instill laws that actually hurt us as a society.  Compassion is not part of the law.  It should be though!  I pray for the Budges daily since hearing the news story.

As far as I know Joe, the leasing company would not even talk to them or their representatives, holding to the letter of the lease. I am not personally involved with how it is being taken care of though so I do not know if any special payment plan was addressed. 

I do know that the bill will be settled one way or another but Western Rim Property Management company could have shown an ounce of compassion and integrity by having addressed this privately with the Budges without the media storm. I believe the cost to their company will far exceed any amount that is owed to satisfy their contract.

I too believe the media storm was uncalled for Karen!  I think that the church should have helped out.  Done fund raisers something.

Touching story indeed! We pray all is well with the Budge family under these trying circumstances. We are in a similar situation concerning WESTERN RIM PROPERTY SERVICES, LP in respect to recoving our security deposit.  However this is in another location of theirs, and we didn't even break our lease!

We are taking them to Small Claims Court to recover unnecessary charges on our final account statement - painting, carpet replacement, etc.  Luckily, I have over 300 photographs of ever wall and carpet in every room to prove that we left the apartment in excellent condition (probably better than the state we received it in!) with no defects or damages.

Please remember us in your prayers and any advice will be very welcome.  Thanks!

-Anonymous

Karen,

Thanks for the blog - So next question - apart from the lease what are the budge's other needs? Do they have  life insurance to help Crystal? Are they able to cover Matt's current medical expenses? Do they need funds for the move back to family? I'm planning on emailing Steve Buys, the family friend because I'd like to see a financial goal we can rally around. Any news you all might have would be great. I'll let you know what I hear back. 

Karen,

Gee thoses folks are "swell". Thanks for sharing.

Jim

For those wishing to receive more information regarding this story please see this link for the blog Matthew & Crystal Budge thank you!

Western Rim Properties (or WRP) is an evil corporation that does underhanded business.  They make things seem one way when they really are another and their promises are totally empty.  You should Google Western Rim sometime and see all the negativity against them and look up the multiple apartment "mansions" they own across TX and see how people are unhappy and complain.  I live in some of these so-called luxe apartment "mansions" and they aren't any better than living in inner city housing that is much cheaper.  They only care if you pay your rent, not about your health, well-being, hard-earned money, or safety.  There has been a string of crime going on here and I have never experienced this in my life.  I can't even sleep well ( I have severe anxiety already and have trouble sleeping) but now that I've been a victim of crime here I really can't sleep and I'm constantly worrying.  They don't care and they haven't called me back when they said they would and don't answer the phone when I call.  It's sad but this story about WRP doesn't surprise me.  They would do something like this and they will probably continue to do so until a class-action suit is brought against them and the people win and bring their whole corrupt organization down. 

Western Rim Properties (or WRP) is an evil corporation that does underhanded business.  They make things seem one way when they really are another and their promises are totally empty.  You should Google Western Rim sometime and see all the negativity against them and look up the multiple apartment "mansions" they own across TX and see how people are unhappy and complain.  I live in some of these so-called luxe apartment "mansions" and they aren't any better than living in inner city housing that is much cheaper.  They only care if you pay your rent, not about your health, well-being, hard-earned money, or safety.  There has been a string of crime going on here and I have never experienced this in my life.  I can't even sleep well ( I have severe anxiety already and have trouble sleeping) but now that I've been a victim of crime here I really can't sleep and I'm constantly worrying.  They don't care and they haven't called me back when they said they would and don't answer the phone when I call.  It's sad but this story about WRP doesn't surprise me.  They would do something like this and they will probably continue to do so until a class-action suit is brought against them and the people win and bring their whole corrupt organization down.