Part Two of Two
In Part One, the author explains the great reduction of worker housing. He explains how executive orders, and stringent tenant/landlord laws, enacted to protect tenants, often have the opposite effect of raising rents and removing housing from the marketplace. The issue of landlords’ need for a profit, and tenant rights and responsibilities are explained. The author describes the necessity for housing regulations to be handled at the county level. What needs to be done?
Reestablish the Rule of Law in Landlord/Tenant Relations
Below are steps that could be taken to address current shortcomings:
Citizen advocacy groups, independent attorneys and landlord advocates could conduct a review of New Jersey tenant/landlord law.
Establish a county-level landlord/tenant court where a hearing would be held within two weeks of the filing of an eviction notice. The reasons for an eviction would include nonpayment of rent; persistent police complaints or visits; excessive damage to property; criminal activities or mischief; and loud, abusive, unsanitary, and unsafe behaviors that are offensive to property owners or neighbors.
Upon order of the court, evictions would take place virtually immediately. Further, landlords will not be responsible for storage of items left behind. Back rent will be collected (pending court order) through garnishment of the tenant’s wages, or the attaching of other assets, including pensions, savings, stock accounts, and government entitlements.
Allow for a sufficient security and pet deposit, as agreed upon by the landlord and tenant. Also allow for: First and last month’s rent paid in advance; the option of landlords to collect rent by auto deposit; the right of landlords to complete a comprehensive criminal, credit and employment history search, and secure other information that could help lead to a “good fit” for the applicant.
If courts determine destruction was intentional, landlords will be awarded full monetary damages. Further, tenants may face criminal prosecution for intentional destruction of property.
Create More Worker Houses
The creation of housing from nonconforming buildings should be encouraged. Governmental fees should be minimal. Zoning for low-cost housing should be “fast tracked.” The creation of auxiliary housing units and “ granny units” should be encouraged for young adults and senior citizens. Taxes should be kept at a minimum.
To jumpstart low-cost housing, it may be necessary for municipal and state government to offer tax incentives or tax rebates.
Local government should encourage private landowners and investors to provide low-cost worker housing by all means at their disposal.
Commentary on Low-Cost Housing
My proposals are the polar opposite of rules and regulations coming from Trenton. Executive orders and state directives, never passed or debated by our legislative body, have removed any incentive to provide worker housing that is affordable to those of modest incomes. Have directives from Trenton solved our worker housing problems or made them much worse?
As landlords, our goal is to provide safe, clean, and affordable units. Tenants must acknowledge that rent must be paid each month. Tenants must have some financial “skin in the game” and realize they can no longer walk away from financial obligations.
Cape Issues cordially invites U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, Sen. Testa, county commissioners, Middle Township Committee and zoning, our business community, housing advocates and concerned citizens to a town hall meeting. All opinions will be heard and debated in a spirit of democracy and respect.
Right now is a historic time to swap Airbnbs and vacation homes with worker housing. We have the support of the community. Our elected officials must act now, but the window is closing rapidly. By restoring landlord rights, worker housing will return to our county.