Mar 21, 2026
When flames tore through the Center Pointe Green apartment complex in Everett, Washington, Jordan Bister and her partner Aaron Shackman fled with little more than their dog and the clothes on their backs.
They were among several residents displaced by the fire earlier this month — with rents automatically pulled from their bank accounts via autopay and no immediate support from their property manager, Avenue 5.
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Bister and Shackman shared their story and frustration with KIRO 7 News (1).
"They didn't return any of our phone calls, no emails out to the residents, nothing,” Bister said. “On the resident portal, nothing.”
Shackman said he called the leasing office the day of the fire to ask whether rent was owed if they were displaced.
He got no response until he informed Avenue 5 he was approaching KIRO 7 News about the situation.
At that point,. the property manager contacted Shackman directly and offered the couple a smaller apartment for just $40 less a month, which the pair considered a poor deal.
Avenue 5 later told the media outlet that the payments were "processed the day before the fire" and that refunds were being issued to displaced tenants.
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The autopay defense is a familiar one. But it does little to help tenants who are suddenly homeless and watching money leave their accounts.
Here's what displaced renters can do to protect their money and their rights.
Cancel autopay immediately
Recouping a payment that’s already been processed takes time tenants don't have in the wake of an emergency.
The first thing tenants displaced by a fire or other disaster should do is log into their bank or payment app and cancel any automatic rent payments before the next cycle hits.
Don't wait for the landlord to do it. Don't wait for written confirmation. As this situation shows, autopay doesn't pause for catastrophes.
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Local laws may suspend rent obligations automatically
If you’re displaced from your rental by a fire or other emergency, investigate local landlord-tenant laws to learn your rights.Your state attorney general's office or a local tenant's union is the fastest way to find out.
Bister and Shackman would be protected under Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, where a tenant's rental obligations end as soon as a unit is deemed uninhabitable (2).
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If an authority formally condemns the building, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and deposits — and within seven days, provide relocation assistance equal to the greater of $2,000 or three times the monthly rent (3). That aid is tied to landlord negligence, not acts of God (4).
Meanwhile, California allows tenants to terminate a lease when a unit becomes unlivable (5).
In New York, rent obligations stop as soon as a unit is destroyed or deemed unsafe (6).
The same principle applies in most states. Landlords can’t collect rent on units that have been formally condemned.
If no formal condemnation order has been issued, contact your city or county code enforcement office and request an inspection.
Put everything in writing
Tenants need to start building a paper trail after a disaster. If you eventually need to pursue a refund in small claims court, this documentation will be critical to your case.
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Send an email or certified letter to your landlord documenting the unit's condition, the date you were displaced and any requests for rent relief or relocation assistance.
Screenshots of portal messages (or the lack thereof) matter.
Read More: Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Renter's insurance may be your fastest path to stability
One resource that can kick in almost immediately is renters insurance — specifically loss-of-use or additional living expenses (ALE) coverage, also known as Coverage D (7).
If you’re displaced due to a covered peril, this coverage helps with living expenses like hotel stays, meals and other necessary expenses beyond your normal living costs.
File a claim with your insurer as soon as possible and keep receipts for every expense: hotels, meals, transportation, laundry. That documentation is how you get reimbursed.
As in Bister and Shackman’s situation, knowing your rights and advocating for them is crucial.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
KIRO 7 News (1); Washington State Legislature (2, 8); Justia (3); Tenants Union of Washington State (4); California Legislative Information (5); The New York State Senate (6); Lemonade (7)
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With a writing and editing career spanning over 13 years, Emma creates and refines content across a broad spectrum of industries, including personal finance, lifestyle, travel, health & wellness, real estate, beauty & fitness and B2B/SaaS/tech. Her versatility comes through contributions to high-profile clients like Moneywise, Healthline, Narcity and Bob Vila, producing content that informs and engages, along with helping book authors tell their stories.
