A few weeks ago, multiple landlords were chastised on this forum. One had their Christianity questioned, the other was called socially irresponsible. The posters were upset because landlords were renting to families with historical behavioral problems. My “social responsibility” thread came out of those posts. I thought this forum felt that a landlord must keep problem families out of housing to be socially responsible.
Now, a poster claims that if landlords use historical records, like credit reports or high school degrees, to screen tenants, that would be the “pinnacle of social irresponsibility.” Call me confused. If someone will point me to perfect historical records, I will continue this discussion. What I tell new tenants is this: If you are clean, quiet and pay the rent, we will be best of friends. If you fail on any one of the three, we will be worst enemies. It is up to you. I suspect neighbors would say something similar. The real problem is determining who will succeed? How can I determine cleanliness? Quietness? And ability to pay the rent? The industry (and I) have developed a screening methodology trying to figure this out, but it is not even close to perfect. I wonder if it is even close. I believe that preventing access to housing is doomed to fail as a social solution. Michael Holmann wisely asked how many people would screening criteria keep out of housing? The answer is obvious, go check out a homeless shelter. The numbers are large and growing. This is not because we have a housing shortage -- we have high vacancy rates! It is because our landlords are told, by folk like you, that they must screen people out or the wrath of our government will come crashing down on them. Minneapolis and St. Paul are the worst. I believe the real solutions are: a) Our government should stop subsidizing market rate housing and return to subsidizing supportive housing. b) Hotels & Motels can easily remove problem residents. It takes landlords a long time and great expense to remove the same. If the cost of removal is lower, the standards to get in will decrease. I appreciate everyone's comments. I worry that some on this board are unwilling to question their existing biases. I must get back to work. Talk with ya after the next landlord bashing! :) Regards, Bill Cullen. Whittier landlord. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.7.3/15 - Release Date: 6/14/2005 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
