'Rent is too damn high' candidate facing eviction over rent

A former candidate for New York governor who became widely famous online for declaring his rent is "too damn high" is facing eviction for - you guessed it - rent problems.

'Rent is too damn high' candidate facing eviction over rent

Photo: David Shankbone // CC Wikimedia

A former candidate for New York governor who became widely famous online for declaring his rent is "too damn high" is facing eviction for - you guessed it - rent problems.

Jimmy McMillan shot to fame during the 2010 mayoral debates, when his unique style struck a chord not only with voters, but with the internet community at large.

Soon, he was turned into an internet meme used to declare when things were, in fact, too damn high.

Now, the former Vietnam war veteran finds himself on the receiving end of his landlord's attention, and has been served with an eviction notice.

'They don't want my money'

McMillan, who has lived there since the 1970s, claims his landlord is attempting to evict him in order to get in a new tenant at the higher, market rate - and disputes his landlord's claims he didn't pay the bills.

His East Village apartment is rent-stabilized, which means it's part of a program to prevent rent costs spiralling out of control.

As a result, he pays less than $900 a month for his home - far below the market price.

Speaking to ABC 13 news, he said he'd tried to pay the company bringing proceedings against him.

"I've got the money to pay them," he said. "They don't want the money. They want me out of here."

"The bottom line is, they want me out for more money."

$11,000 in dispute

Lisco Holdings, the entity seeking the eviction, brought a case against McMillan several years ago, and while that was ongoing, rent became overdue.

McMillan disagrees, however, claiming he has records that rent was paid. He is seeking a stay order from the courts while he resolves the issue.

The outstanding amount in the dispute is approximately 18 months of rent, which McMillan claims won't be accepted by the company despite his attempts to pay - over $11,000. He says his cheque was returned to him.

He has until February 5 to vacate the premises.

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