A landlord in Central, South Carolina is practicing one of his state’s high-and-mighty morality measures, but while overlooking another for which the Palmetto State is also well-known. ?A young female tenant was told to remove her houseguest from The Grove apartment she rents or face eviction; that guest is her husband, however, and who was on military leave to visit their?newborn child.
Sgt. William Bullock left his base in Missouri to visit his wife Lily, a student at nearby Clemson Univ., and to see his two-week-old child for the very first time. Lily’s landlord found the visit to violate lease terms, however, regarding conservative-leaning restrictions on overnight guests. That this guest was the spouse of the renter meant nothing, apparently, and neither did his ?New Dad? status. And adding insult to injury, the fact that Bullock was not an official apartment resident only because of his active military status meant nothing to the landlord, either, and despite the rich (and richly conservative) support South Carolina’s always had for the Armed Forces. Said Bullock:
“I’m stationed in Missouri and we haven’t seen each other in six months. What’s the problem with me staying and visiting with my wife?”
The landlord (known only as ?Chuck? to the Fox Carolina news station that first reported this circumstance) not only objected to the presence of his tenant’s spouse, but even threatened the new mom with punishment. If her husband didn’t leave immediately, ?Chuck? said he would press charges for violation of a rental agreement, and would double her rent, too. Eviction was also threatened, the Bullocks say.
Sgt. Bullock didn’t have much luck with the landlord, either, he told Fox Carolina:
?He stated to me that he didn’t care about our situation; he didn’t care about me being in the military.?
The married couple and newborn left to stay with other family in the area, but are concerned about future visits Sgt. Bullock would make, as well as the landlord’s threat to raise rent.
An attorney consulted by Fox Carolina said ?Chuck? might not have any luck, though, and because of loose wording in the lease, as well as the status of Sgt. Bullock as spouse of the renter.
Bullock said he hopes to meet with the landlord, as well as a mediator, before returning to his military base, and in order to prevent this recent ruckus from recurring.
Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page. Sign up for our free daily newsletter to receive more great stories like this one.
