West Orange Woman Earns Year Of Free Rent From Landlord

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A West Orange resident who has been living at the same apartment for more than half a century recently netted herself a year of free rent.

Lynn Kay, a resident of West Mill Gardens in West Orange, is the latest member of Garden Communities’ “Golden Residents Club,” which it rolled out in 2020 to show appreciation to its “most loyal residents.”

Kay definitely qualifies, having rented the same apartment for 52 years and counting.

Short Hills-based Garden Communities – which owns rental properties in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland and Minnesota – held a celebration for Kay outside her apartment.

“Everything was lovely,” Kay said. “Free rent for a year – I can’t believe it.”

It isn’t just comfort that’s keeping Kay in her apartment, it’s also the memories. According to Garden Communities:

“Kay’s warmest memories of the time spent in the house are of raising a family with her late husband, Morris. As children, daughter Randi, who now lives in Holmdel, and son Joseph – born 11 years later – fit conveniently into the large bedroom where a crib and bed could be easily housed. Joseph, who now lives five minutes away from his mother with his wife, 13-year-old twins and 17-year-old daughter, ‘wouldn’t have wanted me to move; I used to babysit,’ she recalled with a smile. Staying in one place for so long has proven to be a blessing for Kay, who lost Morris 15 years ago. Not only was she surrounded by supportive neighbors, but she notes that the West Mill Gardens management team was especially helpful during that difficult time.”

Property manager Heather Smith said Kay is a “wonderful person and a pleasure to know.”

“We had so much fun celebrating her,” said Smith, who also has a longtime history with West Mill Gardens, having joined the team nearly two decades ago.

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