To the Editor,
Kudos to Collin Hall’s excellent article on worker housing. As a property owner and landlord, there are so many hurdles to overcome to provide quality housing at reasonable cost.
Regulations, for one. A few years ago, the state mandated proof of liability insurance. A $75 fee to provide a copy of my one-page declaration. Every year. Yearly fire inspection $60. Yearly fire extinguisher inspection $21. Upcoming lead paint inspections.
Property insurance continues to escalate. Rental house insurance is $1,000 for a $100,000 policy. That is not even replacement cost.
Construction labor and materials continue to escalate. As does food, energy and everyday costs. Yet tenants expect bargains on housing.
Laws have protected tenants to the extent that landlords are now extinct. It is six months to two years to evict a non-paying or disruptive tenant. And back rent and damages? I can assure you landlords will never get paid.
The quality of local applicants is dismal. I refuse to rent to locals who have excessive legally mandated protections. Sorry, but it’s the 10% who create problems that cause the 90% to suffer. And it’s hard to discern who will be a “problem child” without extensive vetting. Even then, it is a crapshoot.
Many blamed Covid for lack of housing. Covid only affected a small percentage of the population. Yes, some were hospitalized. But most received extra and extended unemployment, and extra cash bonus payments. Tenants had so much money, many refused to return to work. And pay rent.
Any landlord who had two or less units was ineligible to apply for grants or loans. Yet landlords by law were not able to evict or receive rent for two years.
In 2020, several landlords held a Zoom meeting with Sen. Testa. He was informed “no rent/no evictions” would be a disaster. No action was taken.
Why did government not pay landlords directly?
Many blame Covid, airbnbs, cost of land and new construction, out of the area second homeowners and investment companies, but the reality is a little different.
As in the tower of Babel, everyone is speaking a different language. So nothing is accomplished when no one will acknowledge the others’ predicament.
No one will invest in worker housing to lose money. Except government housing projects that are certifiably a disaster zone. And the taxpayer always pays for those boondoggles.
Any money invested in housing must come from private equity.
The public perception of landlords must change. We are not cash cows. We cannot provide free housing. And pay for a parade of never-ending regulations.
I am in favor of tiny houses on small lots. More housing complexes must be built to accommodate our workforce. Less regulation and less burdensome taxes on landlords and citizens.
In return for housing, I propose a “pay or surrender” policy. At eviction court, if the tenant cannot pay, eviction is automatic. Same day or next day, escorted out by sheriff’s deputies.
Yes, it is harsh. But so are government policies of no rent and no eviction. So are policies of years’-long evictions and legal costs. It’s really harsh when a tenant causes thousands in damages. Certain they will never be held accountable.
It is time for accountability for all to fix worker housing yesterday!
David Robinson
Cape May Court House
