Order requiring tenants to 'like' complex on Facebook rescinded


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SALT LAKE CITY — Tenants of the City Park Apartments in Salt Lake City received notice last week that they had to "friend" the apartment complex on Facebook within five days or be found in breach of the rental agreement.

After complaints from residents, the law firm representing the complex issued a statement Tuesday saying the addendum went beyond the intent of City Park Apartments and it will not be implemented.

The document posted on tenants' doors Thursday about the Facebook addendum also included a release allowing the apartment to post pictures of tenants and their visitors on the page. The contract also stated that residents were required to agree not to post negative comments relating to the community on any public forum or page.

“I don’t want to be forced to be someone’s friend and be threatened to break my lease because of that,” tenant Jason Ring said. “It’s outrageous as far as I’m concerned.”

Ring called it the last straw and said he planned to move out after the final month of his lease. “It’s a violation of my privacy,” he said. “I just think this is kind of stepping that boundary over the line.

The Law Offices of Kirk A. Cullimore LLC, the firm representing City Park Apartments, said in a written statement Tuesday afternoon: "As part of opening its pool and an anticipated pool party, City Park desired to provide some protection to its residents and its owners from usage of photos on its Facebook page from all community events, including the opening pool party.

"The 'Facebook Addendum' was provided to them to assist in that protection. That addendum went beyond the request and intent of City Park Apartments, and was not carefully reviewed to ensure that it met with their needs and requests. At no time was any resident in jeopardy of eviction or action from City Park for failure to sign the addendum or 'friend' City Park Apartments. City Park has not implemented the addendum nor is it requiring its residents to execute it."

The complex's community manager, Ana Raphael, said in a written statement: "While we openly encourage residents to follow the property's Facebook page for announcements and feedback, this is not mandatory and an absence of engagement on Facebook in no way affects any residential lease agreement.

"We sincerely apologize for any confusion this may have caused and hope to earn your positive comments through our customer service efforts and not through any perceived obligation."

While residents aren't being forced to sign the document, Zachary Myers, an attorney who specializes in tenant rights for Hepworth, Murray & Associates in Bountiful, said the contract addendum may not be fair to those who don't have or are unable to create Facebook accounts.

“The biggest issue that I have with it is that it seems to be discriminatory against elderly individuals and disabled individuals who are unable to utilize an online presence such as Facebook,” he said.

Myers said that if a lease is already signed, a tenant may not be required by law to sign a late add-on.

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