Such a good reminder that, especially while the federal landscape is so deeply bleak, solid local policy can improve people’s lives. Good ideas do spread, even if it’s slow work ❤️
So I am a landlord in Wisconsin. I inherited the property from my dad. And am an outlier in landlord world. It’s hard for me to be a good guy, support my elderly mom, manage the properties and make sure my tenants have what they need. I cannot imagine raising rents like you describe. My dad built a building so his friend would have a place to live, and that friend has not increased his rent more than 40 dollars in forty years. He was paying 335 in 1995, and pays less than 400 now. He will pass away living in the building and think of him as part of my family. A lot of landlords are horrid, and exploitive, and your legislation is right on. But not all of us are horrible.
The scenario you’re describing is extraordinary. You’re more than an outlier—you’re a unicorn! There are ethical, sustainable ways to provide rental housing. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of incentive and pressure not to.
It’s a vicious cycle—at least half of Americans are struggling financially, everybody needs housing so renters are a captive market, real estate is one of the most profitable places to park your money. Many landlords rely on rental income for income, savings and retirement. But too many are extracting so much from their tenants in rent that their tenants can barely afford housing, let alone save for the future or have any hope of buying their own homes one day.
My focus has been on protecting renters in the midst of a housing crisis, but I’m also interested in how we can support and incentivize landlords to be more like you.
So, you’re right of course. I am special in that I inherited it. I guess you’re right in the unicorn bit. I suppose I could extract money out of this. My mom and dad had a theory that was to keep rent as low as possible because they worked under the theory that turnover was worse than less profit. Each building we own my father built for someone he knew who needed an apartment. Those people took a day to day ownership of those places in a way I am so lucky to have in my life. My role is to manage them, fix everything to a top of the line way, make sure it’s is a safe and good place to live. Every now and again I get my feathers ruffled hearing land lords denigrated, but we earned it. I spent my life in RH public policy until my dad died, and that experience mentored me to be the unicorn you call me. But these tenants are extended family in a lot of ways. Money and greed are mf-ers.
I had a great old school landlord for the first 18 years of my adult life. He charged fair rents, and only raised them when his own expenses went up. His focus was on his longterm ROI and he made bank in the end (or his kid’s did). The safe, stable, affordable housing he provided me was life changing. I shudder to think where I’d be today had I not had that house and that landlord.
As a former politician, I can relate to being part of a maligned profession, but I try to remember: if it doesn’t apply, let it fly. People have good reason to resent landlords and mistrust politicians. My policies weren’t an attack on all landlords. They were protection for renters from the bad ones.
Such a good reminder that, especially while the federal landscape is so deeply bleak, solid local policy can improve people’s lives. Good ideas do spread, even if it’s slow work ❤️
Yes! Focusing on local power is my survival strategy for the next for years. That and karaoke😀
So I am a landlord in Wisconsin. I inherited the property from my dad. And am an outlier in landlord world. It’s hard for me to be a good guy, support my elderly mom, manage the properties and make sure my tenants have what they need. I cannot imagine raising rents like you describe. My dad built a building so his friend would have a place to live, and that friend has not increased his rent more than 40 dollars in forty years. He was paying 335 in 1995, and pays less than 400 now. He will pass away living in the building and think of him as part of my family. A lot of landlords are horrid, and exploitive, and your legislation is right on. But not all of us are horrible.
The scenario you’re describing is extraordinary. You’re more than an outlier—you’re a unicorn! There are ethical, sustainable ways to provide rental housing. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of incentive and pressure not to.
It’s a vicious cycle—at least half of Americans are struggling financially, everybody needs housing so renters are a captive market, real estate is one of the most profitable places to park your money. Many landlords rely on rental income for income, savings and retirement. But too many are extracting so much from their tenants in rent that their tenants can barely afford housing, let alone save for the future or have any hope of buying their own homes one day.
My focus has been on protecting renters in the midst of a housing crisis, but I’m also interested in how we can support and incentivize landlords to be more like you.
So, you’re right of course. I am special in that I inherited it. I guess you’re right in the unicorn bit. I suppose I could extract money out of this. My mom and dad had a theory that was to keep rent as low as possible because they worked under the theory that turnover was worse than less profit. Each building we own my father built for someone he knew who needed an apartment. Those people took a day to day ownership of those places in a way I am so lucky to have in my life. My role is to manage them, fix everything to a top of the line way, make sure it’s is a safe and good place to live. Every now and again I get my feathers ruffled hearing land lords denigrated, but we earned it. I spent my life in RH public policy until my dad died, and that experience mentored me to be the unicorn you call me. But these tenants are extended family in a lot of ways. Money and greed are mf-ers.
I had a great old school landlord for the first 18 years of my adult life. He charged fair rents, and only raised them when his own expenses went up. His focus was on his longterm ROI and he made bank in the end (or his kid’s did). The safe, stable, affordable housing he provided me was life changing. I shudder to think where I’d be today had I not had that house and that landlord.
As a former politician, I can relate to being part of a maligned profession, but I try to remember: if it doesn’t apply, let it fly. People have good reason to resent landlords and mistrust politicians. My policies weren’t an attack on all landlords. They were protection for renters from the bad ones.
I work in politics as well now.