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Greg Gerritt's avatar

There is a reason we call them landLORDS, they seem to want to have it all and steal all the protections from the peasants. The other words I call them are real estate scum. Liars, cheaters, rent seekers, price gougers. We need more housing and we need to protect renters from ther people who hold too many cards. And roling back the lead laws is among the most evil stuff I have heard in a long time, sounds just like what Trump advocates for.

Susan Wright's avatar

Important topics. So much variability in each scenario. Makes it hard to legislate. If I’m a housing provider, I need to be able to pay my costs. But if I’m in it to become wealthy, that is unfair to the community. Housing is not a luxury, it is a requirement. Providing a healthy environment to tenants is part of the responsibility and the costs. Tenants also need to be responsible to prioritize their housing well-being. In a perfect world, this all works. But we don’t live in a perfect world. So we develop imperfect laws in an attempt to protect one party or another. Unfortunately we most often end up protecting the ones with the most power. Maybe we can do better this time!

Steve Ahlquist's avatar

I love this comment so much. It really gets at the heart of the issue.

Susan Wright's avatar

Thanks.

Kathy Rourke's avatar

Very well said! Having been a renter for many years, I was fortunate to rent from resident owners. We all worked together. We all had our responsibilities. Wish this was always the case.

Susan Wright's avatar

That’s how I grew up. But even then it wasn’t true for everyone.

Val Reishuk's avatar

I appreciate reading Rep Brandon Potter's full statement here. I am that renter. I need rent stabilization now, and I do believe that new housing will alleviate the problem in the future.

Landlords who are currently asserting that new housing will stabilize rents must also support well-funded RIPTA transit and support minimal parking at city apartment buildings. When a landlord testifies for "more parking" at a new apartment building, they grind that project to a halt. Providence is a city. Half of us in my Ward are car-light and car-free.