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More Restrictions on Small
Landlords Only Leads to Loss of
Affordable Housing
By Jenifer Anisman, Esq., Associate, The Law Firm of Harold Greenberg
More than Four Decades of Retreaded Housing TPolicy Has Only Led to Increased Housing Shortages and Homelessness
his article addresses the unintended ramifications of tough eviction control. Tenant advocates are fighting for tougher legislation on landlords, including proposals that would require Landlords to pay for tenant attorney’s fees when facing eviction. It is no
secret; however, that the toughest rent / eviction control laws exist in the cities with the highest homelessness rates.
Yet, the response is to implement even tougher laws, and the result? Well, I see more homelessness. Is this a chicken or egg situation? Are the two even related? Persons experiencing homelessness come from a myriad of backgrounds and situations. Do all homeless persons want to be housed? This is a complicated question. Tenant’s Rights groups who identify themselves as “homelessness prevention” fighters have no basis for this claim. They merely use it as a ploy to win their cases and recover attorney’s fees from Landlords. Do you disagree? If so, please continue reading...
I work for a law firm that represents both landlords and tenants. Most of our landlord clients are minority, indigenous, retirees, and small business, “mom and pop” landlords. Many own between just 2 to 8 rental units and often, one of the units are owner occupied. Most of our clients own pre- 1978 buildings subject to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance. These are the folks I will be referring to in this article. This article does not pertain to the large corporate management companies or real estate investment trusts with hundreds of units or more. This letter also does not pertain to COVID-19 related reasons for not-paying or collecting rent.
If merely one unit in a small building does not generate rent, it adversely affects the entire building. Of all the landlords I have personally represented, not one of them has wanted to evict a tenant in order to attempt to receive higher rent. It is quite the opposite. Our landlords have an excellent relationship with their long-term tenants. Many small landlords are retired or have unrelated daytime jobs and family responsibilities. They would rather have a long-term tenant who pays the low rent on time and respects the property as opposed to a higher paying, higher turnover unit. Forcing prohibitive legislation and costs on landlords who
16 JUNE 2021 - APARTMENT MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE AMM1/6
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