Bill Writes:
First, the definition of "slumlord" is "a landlord who receives unusually large profits from substandard properties" (1). Mr Palmer stated "I stand by the reference, and I apologize for nothing." For Mr. Palmer to correctly use this term, he must know Mr. Johnson's income.
Dennis responds:
It's common knowledge amongst interested parties that Mr. Johnson had no fewer than 10 separate properties under review by the City between 2000-2002. If we want to split hairs and say because we haven't done a fact-finding mission that includes financials for that year. So be it.
Bill writes:
The complaints that Mr. Palmer and Mr. Plante keep reverting to (substandard properties, code enforcement violations, housing level III sex offenders) are questionable business practices. It appears we have a landlord that is not a good property manager or neighbor. We should call him a "poor property manager." That description is accurate and professional.
Dennis reponds:
Bill, we started-out much more subtly than that with Gregge Johnson. On numerous instances... However, being accurate and professional proved to be - well, very uneventfull. Plain and simple, he's a slumlord...
Bill writes:
If we choose to use derogatory terms such as "slumlord", "absentee landlord" (2), or "nigger" we should not be surprised when the party we have an issue with doesn't cooperate. For Mr. Palmer to justify the use of "slumlord" because it is not as bad as "nigger" is stunning. Do we accept some level of name calling -- just not the really bad names?
Dennis responds:
I submit that anyone that feels that the use of the derogatory term "slumlord" is equal to the term "nigger", probably has never felt what it's like to be an african american living in the United States. My wife (she's 1/2 african american) just attended a pre-construction meeting for the Canterbury Park (formerly Canterbury Downs) remodel. She's the VP of design for the project. As is always the case, the interested parties kept attempting to direct their questions to my wife's assistant, who's a "lilly-white" scandanavian girl (you betcha'). My wife now finds it somewhat humurous, although it took several years for this to occur. Because I live it, I am very insulted that these two derogatory terms are even mentioned in the same sentence.
Bill writes:
Mr. Plante rightfully questions why so many sex offenders live in his zip code. Is it because Jordan landlords recruit them? Jordan Landlords accept them? Neighbors don't run them out of town? Sex offenders want to live in Jordan? I don't know. However, I doubt any landlords recruit sex offenders. If we continue with the slumlord name calling, we will never have a productive discussion about why this is happening. Protests and name calling might feel good; but did it solve the problem?
Dennis responds:
I don't doubt for one minute that some absentee landlords actively recruit level II sex offenders in my neighborhood - Jordan. Otherwise, statistically, it's an impossibility that six of them would be living in two houses next to each other, in the same neighborhood.
As a general contractor, I do a substantial amount of work every year for a landlord that owns (or manages) roughly 1200 rental units in the metro area. He doesn't have ONE level III sex offender living in ANY his units. Previously, I've asked about this - his answer - they're screened out, it's not worth the touble. I mean come on, 17% of (the states') the level III sex offenders (9 of the 15 are white) living in a neighborhood of 9,000 residents (over 50% of which are "black"). I REALLY would like to be wrong on this issue.
Bill writes:
I suspect that some of you think Landlords are the problem. Clearly if they run substandard properties they are part of the problem. But, we can all point to substandard housing that is not a neighborhood problem. Andy Dawkins -- the director of St. Paul's Housing and Code Enforcement -- says a problem property is one that has BOTH code enforcement problems and occupant behavioral problems. While the Landlord is part of that equation, I think you would find it instructive to listen to the landlord's business problems.
Dennis responds:
If you think that there is such a thing as a substandard property that IS NOT part of a neighborhood's problem, then I submit you don;t have any "sub-standard" properties in the neighborhood in which you live.
Bill Writes:
Finally, the landlord business is frustrating. We are held accountable for our lessees actions when no other rental business is held to such high standards. Do we put auto leasing agents in jail when their lessee gets drunk and kills someone? Is Rider responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing? Is Ready Rents responsible for a lessee that mis-uses a chainsaw? Is blockbuster responsible for minors that view R rated movies? What is the difference?
Dennis responds:
With risks come rewards. Whether you choose to sugar-coat it and call them "poor property managers", or just call them what they are - slumlords, these individuals are negatively impacting my right as a resident and YOUR right as an investor.
As a general contractor, I face risks everday. The rewards either remain greater than the risks, or I need to get out of the business. When enough of us come to the same conclusion, something changes. It's that simple.... For every horror story you have (about the customer from hell), I have two. This doesn't preclude the fact that we BOTH have a responsibility.
Bill writes:
It is hard to find good tenants these days. Vacancy rates are higher than we have seen in decades. All landlords I know are lowering rent, giving away concessions and lowering their rental standards. Rental property will become a bigger headache as landlords accept questionable tenants so they can pay the bills. I worry the bottom is not here yet -- Mpls continues to subsidize the building of more rental property when we have an oversupply.
Since tenants now have easy pickings of rental property, I suspect that landlords in "impacted neighborhoods" receive only applicants with historical behavioral problems.
Dennis responds:
Renting to prospective renters (such as level III) is entirely the right of the investor. However, it is entirely within the rights of the citizens within that community to voice their displeasure at such an event. Why act so amazed when it happens? What amazes ME is when people invest iin properties in neighborhoods such as mine, then act indignant when residents then question their motives...
Deninis Plante Jordan
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