MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Inge Marie Sands moved to the U.S. from Germany in the 1960s and eventually settled in Maryville.
Sands, and her late husband, purchased a mobile home and rented a lot off Temple Road for around 23 years. Then, she received an eviction notice in January.
"It's expensive to move, and it's an expense that, you know, well, there goes my life savings," Sands said. "I had to pay to move, and I hope I can pay last month's bills — let's put it that way."
Earlier this month, 10News spoke to homeowners of the Thorn Hill Mobile Home Community, and they said they received eviction notices right before Easter. In many cases, people who purchase mobile homes often own their trailers outright, but they rent the land the homes sit on.
The homeowners at Thorn Hill told 10News it's very expensive to move a trailer, and there are not many open parks to house them, They said many mobile home courts don't accept trailers that are old.
10News contacted Thornhill Management several times. Management of the park called back several times before 7 a.m. one morning, didn't leave any messages and didn't respond to any further inquiries.
The eviction notice from Thornhill lists Caleb Hazelbaker as the owner of that property.
Thornhill homeowners also said most rentals in Blount County are out of their price range since many of them have low or fixed incomes. Homeowners also said despite the eviction notices sent out, several trailers are still on the property.
Sands said she heard about what's happening to the people who live in the Thorn Hill Mobile Home Community and knows how they feel.
"I wish them all the luck in the world," Sands said. "It's an expense that nobody (can cover). We're all senior citizens. I'm 79 years old. We're all on a fixed income."
Sands' husband, who she bought the home with, died in 2013.
"He's still here, it's still his home," Sands said. "And I wouldn't lose it. I would've begged, borrowed and (stolen). That's how hard it is. It's unimaginable."
According to Dustin Landry, an attorney with the Landry and Azevedo law firm, his client, Jesus Batz Ajquiy, bought the park in January.
"In addition to Ms. Sands, there were approximately 4 other mobile home tenants located on the property," Landry said in a statement. "Mr. Batz ultimately decided to discontinue the operation of the mobile home park on his property, which he is within his rights to do so. Typically, the purchaser of a property will take the property subject to and is obligated to honor any existing leases for tenants residing on the property. Unfortunately, in this case, the previous landlord did not have any current written leases with the tenants and/or they had expired."
Both Landry and Sands said the owner did work with Sands to make sure she had the extra time needed for her to move her mobile home.
Sands was able to find a new court for her mobile home and had help moving it, but she said that's not the story for everyone. Moving a trailer takes time, and she said it took a few weeks for her electricity to be turned on.
"I was homeless for two weeks," Sands said. "Without help from my friend, that's exactly what I would have been, homeless sleeping in my car. And I feel sorry for everybody that's going through this."
Sands is currently battling cancer, she said.
"This is physically, emotionally, and mentally — it's a stress," she said. "I lost ten pounds."
Sands contacted Legal Aid of East Tennessee for help after receiving her eviction notice and worked with attorney Darrell Winfree. Winfree said that laws typically favor landlords in rental situations, and tenants need to be aware of their rights.
"I think that people should know that there is help out there," he said. "There are people who are willing to help them, and there are people who want to make things better for folks."
Winfree said renters' rights are limited and his office has seen an increase in these situations since the COVID-19 Pandemic.
"It does fall on you to protect your own interests," Winfree said. "In a lot of circumstances, someone else won't do it for you, even though it'd be the right thing to do."