It's Happening Again - Homes Lost - Some Rent Control Needed

I just talked to guy who owns a furniture & home electronics store. He said > "I can't believe it. I just got in some of the best inventory items I've ever had, this year, and my sales have been plumetting since last May. I don't get it"

I do. Did it ever occur to him that thousands of people in his sales area, are experiencing rent increases of hundreds of dollars a month ? 2 years ago I had a monthly rent increase of $350. That's a loss to me of $4,200/year. Now I'm experiencing a rent increase of $250/mo. ($3,000/yr)

Strange that business owners aren't seeing this - as well as being up in arms about it.
 
I just talked to guy who owns a furniture & home electronics store. He said > "I can't believe it. I just got in some of the best inventory items I've ever had, this year, and my sales have been plumetting since last May. I don't get it"

I do. Did it ever occur to him that thousands of people in his sales area, are experiencing rent increases of hundreds of dollars a month ? 2 years ago I had a monthly rent increase of $350. That's a loss to me of $4,200/year. Now I'm experiencing a rent increase of $250/mo. ($3,000/yr)

Strange that business owners aren't seeing this - as well as being up in arms about it.
But that's the capitalist's right to increase rents. The system dictates that he can do so right up until he finds his rental properties remaining vacant, and then he may have to drop his asking price slightly.

And so you are suggesting that some controls or limitations are needed in the capitalist system.

The possibilities are only two. There are only buyers and sellers.

What are your ideas?

Here's the best I can do from a Canadian perspective:

1. Rent controls.
2. Increase the supply to meet the demand, which lowers prices.
3. Throw a extreme rightist tantrum.
 
But that's the capitalist's right to increase rents. The system dictates that he can do so right up until he finds his rental properties remaining vacant, and then he may have to drop his asking price slightly.

And so you are suggesting that some controls or limitations are needed in the capitalist system.

The possibilities are only two. There are only buyers and sellers.

What are your ideas?

Here's the best I can do from a Canadian perspective:

1. Rent controls.
2. Increase the supply to meet the demand, which lowers prices.
3. Throw a extreme rightist tantrum.
Your number 1 (Rent controls) is the correct answer.

Looking at it by what is right/proper) >> the renter has just as much right to limit rent, as the capitalist has to increase it. A reasonable balance should be the solution. What exists now is totally UNreasonable.
 
Your number 1 (Rent controls) is the correct answer.
I think so too in a nuanced sort of way. But my country practices capitalism and so the ultimate solution always has to be connected with 'supply and demand'.

America is far from abandoning 'capitalism' and so rent controls' must be some sort of temporary and limited solution.

I'll leave it there for you reply for now, in order to be able to determine if you understand what I've said?

But fwiw, rent controls aren't a satisfactory solution for even socialists. Socialism has to be able to function within the bounds of capitalism and democracy, or it will fail.
 
Looking at it by what is right/proper) >> the renter has just as much right to limit rent, as the capitalist has to increase it. A reasonable balance should be the solution. What exists now is totally UNreasonable.
No, you haven't understood. The renter has a right to voice demands but he/she has no power to bring about those demands A 'renter' as such is not a part of the capitalism deal.

The renter's organisation, whatever that will be, can be a party to capitalism.
Then that organisation can apply pressure that can adjust 'supply and demand'.

So I think you now understand well enough to be able to discuss the question further!

And now fwiw, forced rent controls is a dictatorial solution to the problem.

And on a bright note, the American capitalist property owner can't take his buildings to China!

He can sell off his buildings and take the proceeds to China and build new rental units there, if that could be practical and profitable?.
 
Your number 1 (Rent controls) is the correct answer.

Looking at it by what is right/proper) >> the renter has just as much right to limit rent, as the capitalist has to increase it. A reasonable balance should be the solution. What exists now is totally UNreasonable.

You can always move. We don't have rent controls or price controls either. That's really not the way capitlism works. If your landlord has too many vacant apartments, he may get off the rate, but that doesn't help you in the immediate future..
 
What a liberal America needs is some good solid Soviet-era poured concrete apartment blocks!
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It's happening again. 2 years ago I and hundred of others in my apartment complex were forced out of our homes (apartments), when a new landlord bought the complex we were living in, and immediately raised our rents from $550/month to $900/month (for a 1 bedroom).

Now the complex I'm living in (which I came to, to escape from the previous one), has also been bought, and this new owner, like in the other complex, has also raised the rents very high. From $600/month to $850/mo.

There are certain things to take note of here. This is not a typical apartment complex. Although there is no age restriction, almost all the residents here are senior citizens, retired, and on LOW fixed incomes. Many do not own a car. Must are unable to move, and the housing market here (Tampa, FL) is such that there simply is no place to move to around here that is less than about $900/mo for 1 bdrm. Most residents are trapped here, and either cannot pay the new rent, or like myself, can just barely pay it, and still cover other necessities.

So one greed freak, ignoring the fact that the complex is much more than just HIS business, it is also the homes of hundreds of people, looks at this as nothing but a lucrative cash cow to manipulate, just for him.

So now we get to the real crux of all this. It comes down to what government is. Why it exists. It is here for the PROTECTION of the people. It is FOR the people. As much as l respect business ownership and private enterprise (I owned my own business for 12 years in the past), I recognize that business owners should not be be allowed to do ANYTHING. Rights of private property must have limits where the public would be excessively burdened to the point of some people becoming homeless.

As is the case with any business, owners cannot be allowed to do anything at all. Amusement park owners must comply with regulations that keep their roller coasters and other rides, safe. Builders must meet codes that restrict asbestos and other carcenogenic materials, and those that would allow buildings to collapse.

It should be noted that unlike musical instruments, fishing equipment, computers, and stuff that are not necessities, housing is among the group of things that people HAVE TO HAVE. That makes its position unique, relative to government Only food is as essential. And when there is no alternative, the public should be protected by business price gouging. Gasoline, food, housing, electricity, and other necessities do require SOME degree of regulation.

Let's hear what some people who are in this predicament have to say, not those who own homes and don't face danger of becoming homeless. THis is far more than just somebody's economic ideology, who has no personal housing worries. Th reason why this is in Health & Lifestyle is because the residents who are in serious peril, are the point of reference in this thread, not those involved in business investment.
While I empathize with your plight, one point that you have not mentioned is the fact that the previous owner had rents set to cover the costs of his business based upon the purchase price that he paid years ago. In the current market, the new owner paid a greater amount for the same property so of course his prices increased as well. The only answer is that tenants should create a hedge on their housing costs and purchase a home. After all that is what you are doing for your landlord and he gets the hedge--not you. Rent money is money thrown down the shitter and it leaves you vulnerable to the whims of the property owner. Home ownership allows you to gain equity in the property plus your housing costs do not increase. If you are worried about losing something, just look at it this way. What do you have now? What do you have to lose?
 
While I empathize with your plight, one point that you have not mentioned is the fact that the previous owner had rents set to cover the costs of his business based upon the purchase price that he paid years ago. In the current market, the new owner paid a greater amount for the same property so of course his prices increased as well. The only answer is that tenants should create a hedge on their housing costs and purchase a home. After all that is what you are doing for your landlord and he gets the hedge--not you. Rent money is money thrown down the shitter and it leaves you vulnerable to the whims of the property owner. Home ownership allows you to gain equity in the property plus your housing costs do not increase. If you are worried about losing something, just look at it this way. What do you have now? What do you have to lose?

I told him he needs to move somewhere cheaper/get a roommate. Maybe both.
 
These apartments are not worth $850. No central AC. No pool. no clubhouse, No tennis or basketball court, No exercise room. None of the amenities common to apt complexes with $850 rents. Bad neighborhood to boot, and not on the busline.
All of these things are subjective dependent on where you are. If you were in SF or Seattle, you couldn't get a cardboard shack for $850 a month. If you think you are not getting $850 in value, by all means, go down the street to where you can find that value, no one is forcing you to stay.
 

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