Landlords showed up to denounce the proposed rental regulations Tuesday. The ordinance will come up for a final vote Jan. 4, with a handful of amendments hoping to assuage landlord concerns.
So glad that we have a local journalist willing to provide in-depth coverage to issues that impact our greater community. Tenants should be able to expect reasonable health and safety standards- this allows for some recourse if the landlord fails to provide it. The regulations will clarify what is reasonable for both tenants and landlord- I see it as a "win-win" for good landlords and good tenants alike & I urge all council members to move forward with this rental code.
Pat has covered state government. So, it is likely that he understands that the ordinance violates state law and would be nullified if challenged in court. He also may have had some direct experience with our city bureaucracy. (Many Laramie residents, and virtually all students, have not.) Dealing with Laramie's city bureaucrats - who, due to our current Council/City Manager form of government, do not directly report to ANYONE elected by the public and therefore do not see themselves as accountable - would be difficult, painful, and unsatisfying for both tenants AND landlords. And, yes, rents WOULD go up. I predict that if this ordinance goes into effect we will see Laramie rents jump, on average, by 10% next year. (You can call me out on this if I'm wrong.) Even assuming that the Council members who support it have their hearts in the right place and are not just being spiteful and demonizing rental property owners (though some of them HAVE betrayed those attitudes), this ordinance is the wrong approach to the rare (though not nonexistent) problems that exist with rental housing in Laramie. It attempts to punish everyone for the behavior of a few bad apples.
If folks believe that there are problems with the state law (which is actually quite good and fair), the proper avenue is to ask our state representatives to amend it. If the amendments were beneficial, they'd help EVERYONE in the state, not just people in Laramie. But an attempt by the City of Laramie to impose its own unique regime - especially one that conflicts with state law and does not apply to UW, CHA, and WCDA, which are Laramie's biggest and most intransigent landlords - is a bad idea and is, again, illegal. These days, especially, we need to respect the rule of law.
I just got done reading the Grand Jury report on the Surfside Collapse in Miami and the defining line in the report was this "A stitch in time saves nine".
Some landlords under stand this concept and some do not. The ones that do should not be impacted by these regulations and the ones that do not seem to squeal the loudest. Requiring common sense investments/protections should be the goal and regulations provide that incentive.
While I have not read the regulations I would hope they include insulation requirements in addition to all the other common sense regulations as many landlords do not care what the heating or cooling costs are for a property.
In essence the regulations require a landlord to maintain a property in a condition so that rental unit is more profitable over the life of the unit.
It would not surprise me that the State of Wyoming would have laws to screw renters because what else would one expect from those that benefited from the Homestead Act land give away?
Another point I would like to make, that should be obvious to landlords, is that whether there are regulations or not, many of these requirements will be foisted on them but not by the government, but by a much bigger Capitalist than them.....The Insurance Industry. I have done a fair bit of "loss control" inspections in Wyoming and it is clear that the Warren Buffets of the world will certainly "enforce" their will much more effectively than the State or Local Governments.
For example the State does not prevent wood burning fire places in Commercial operations but I can guarantee that fireplaces and firewood stoves are disappearing from these businesses. Those owners that defy the insurance requirements will either see rates go up or a claim not paid when it all goes up in smoke.
Unchecked Capitalism in Feudalism so take the good medicine offered and do whats right for the renters and your own property......A stitch in time saves nine!
Surfside Grand Jury also points out where the State repealed regulations that would have prevented the collapse.....Shocked I tell ya, shocked.
You do understand that the Champlain Towers South, in the town of Surfside, Florida (not Miami), were condominiums and not apartments, correct?
And you admit that you have have read NEITHER the proposed ordinance nor the state law with which it conflicts, and yet you are certain that the ordinance is a good idea and that every part of it is beneficial and legal?
Brett things are pretty easy with you as everything you have ever said about what may happen is always wrong and everything Linda Devine said is right. I have heard enough of your rants about alcohol to know you lack perspective on people and their motives.
With that said, you give yourself away again by implying that Condominiums with actual owners should get MORE protection/regulations from the Local government than just mere renters. Funny stuff as Condo Boards know they are spending their own money, so they get cheap on the fixes they should do and have to be prodded. Slum lords and Condo Boards are the same and require more than just encouragement to protect everyone.
You make the case for regulations every time you open your mouth.
You've obviously never had the experience of living, working, or maintaining property in Laramie's downtown, or you would have a vastly different perspective on the effects of alcohol. We have literally saved several people's lives from the consequences of excessive consumption of alcohol and the violent behavior, sexual abuse, and other harmful actions it causes.
As for condominiums: I made no assertions as to what legal protections the owners should or should not have. I merely noted that the document you quoted was completely inapplicable to rentals, because the buildings in question were not rentals. (I do have opinions as to the competence and honesty of the builders of that building, and the diligence of the building's HOA - which was clearly as incompetent to deal with the situation as our current City Council is to deal with issues involving rentals.)
As for Linda Devine: I think she's a fine person and a good lawyer. We happen to disagree as to the potential effects of this ordinance, and that's fine; not everyone agrees all the time. I think that her heart's in the right place, but that if she were more familiar with our experience, or with the behaviors of our city's bureaucracy, she'd come to agree that the ordinance would be a very bad thing.
Your rude ad hominem attacks on me, however, are beyond the pale and demonstrate not only your lack of civility but your unwillingness to listen to those with hard-earned knowledge and experience.
Well Brett, I understand the effects of alcohol and its impacts, but Prohibition caused the largest crime wave in American history so banning it or over regulating it goes to far... It was clear from your arguments, you over hype the consequences. Driving 55 saved lives too, but we decided we can handle the risk....
I would posit that I posted fact while your comparing the City Council of Laramie to the HOA that killed 98 people an Ad Hominen attack that was beyond the pale.
"I do have opinions as to the competence and honesty of the builders of that building, and the diligence of the building's HOA - which was clearly as incompetent to deal with the situation as our current City Council is to deal with issues involving rentals."
PS I would council the Council to act like the Legislature in Wyoming....pass the law and let the courts decide....
Jeff's extreme anti-landlord bias is showing in this article. That's a shame, because Laramie deserves fair, ethical, unbiased news reporting. Perhaps he should rename this site "Jeff's personal opinions about things that are going on in Laramie?"
Brett, you sided with the local murderer last time. Fuck off
"The local murderer?" You're insane. And also an anonymous troll too cowardly to put your own name on your slanderous nonsense.
Dumbass
So glad that we have a local journalist willing to provide in-depth coverage to issues that impact our greater community. Tenants should be able to expect reasonable health and safety standards- this allows for some recourse if the landlord fails to provide it. The regulations will clarify what is reasonable for both tenants and landlord- I see it as a "win-win" for good landlords and good tenants alike & I urge all council members to move forward with this rental code.
Way to represent, Linda Devine! Nice work, Laramie City Council! I'm surprised that Pat Gabriel is against this.
Pat has covered state government. So, it is likely that he understands that the ordinance violates state law and would be nullified if challenged in court. He also may have had some direct experience with our city bureaucracy. (Many Laramie residents, and virtually all students, have not.) Dealing with Laramie's city bureaucrats - who, due to our current Council/City Manager form of government, do not directly report to ANYONE elected by the public and therefore do not see themselves as accountable - would be difficult, painful, and unsatisfying for both tenants AND landlords. And, yes, rents WOULD go up. I predict that if this ordinance goes into effect we will see Laramie rents jump, on average, by 10% next year. (You can call me out on this if I'm wrong.) Even assuming that the Council members who support it have their hearts in the right place and are not just being spiteful and demonizing rental property owners (though some of them HAVE betrayed those attitudes), this ordinance is the wrong approach to the rare (though not nonexistent) problems that exist with rental housing in Laramie. It attempts to punish everyone for the behavior of a few bad apples.
If folks believe that there are problems with the state law (which is actually quite good and fair), the proper avenue is to ask our state representatives to amend it. If the amendments were beneficial, they'd help EVERYONE in the state, not just people in Laramie. But an attempt by the City of Laramie to impose its own unique regime - especially one that conflicts with state law and does not apply to UW, CHA, and WCDA, which are Laramie's biggest and most intransigent landlords - is a bad idea and is, again, illegal. These days, especially, we need to respect the rule of law.
I just got done reading the Grand Jury report on the Surfside Collapse in Miami and the defining line in the report was this "A stitch in time saves nine".
Some landlords under stand this concept and some do not. The ones that do should not be impacted by these regulations and the ones that do not seem to squeal the loudest. Requiring common sense investments/protections should be the goal and regulations provide that incentive.
While I have not read the regulations I would hope they include insulation requirements in addition to all the other common sense regulations as many landlords do not care what the heating or cooling costs are for a property.
In essence the regulations require a landlord to maintain a property in a condition so that rental unit is more profitable over the life of the unit.
It would not surprise me that the State of Wyoming would have laws to screw renters because what else would one expect from those that benefited from the Homestead Act land give away?
Another point I would like to make, that should be obvious to landlords, is that whether there are regulations or not, many of these requirements will be foisted on them but not by the government, but by a much bigger Capitalist than them.....The Insurance Industry. I have done a fair bit of "loss control" inspections in Wyoming and it is clear that the Warren Buffets of the world will certainly "enforce" their will much more effectively than the State or Local Governments.
For example the State does not prevent wood burning fire places in Commercial operations but I can guarantee that fireplaces and firewood stoves are disappearing from these businesses. Those owners that defy the insurance requirements will either see rates go up or a claim not paid when it all goes up in smoke.
Unchecked Capitalism in Feudalism so take the good medicine offered and do whats right for the renters and your own property......A stitch in time saves nine!
Surfside Grand Jury also points out where the State repealed regulations that would have prevented the collapse.....Shocked I tell ya, shocked.
https://miamisao.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GRAND-JURY_202112151434-1.pdf
You do understand that the Champlain Towers South, in the town of Surfside, Florida (not Miami), were condominiums and not apartments, correct?
And you admit that you have have read NEITHER the proposed ordinance nor the state law with which it conflicts, and yet you are certain that the ordinance is a good idea and that every part of it is beneficial and legal?
Brett things are pretty easy with you as everything you have ever said about what may happen is always wrong and everything Linda Devine said is right. I have heard enough of your rants about alcohol to know you lack perspective on people and their motives.
With that said, you give yourself away again by implying that Condominiums with actual owners should get MORE protection/regulations from the Local government than just mere renters. Funny stuff as Condo Boards know they are spending their own money, so they get cheap on the fixes they should do and have to be prodded. Slum lords and Condo Boards are the same and require more than just encouragement to protect everyone.
You make the case for regulations every time you open your mouth.
Greg:
You've obviously never had the experience of living, working, or maintaining property in Laramie's downtown, or you would have a vastly different perspective on the effects of alcohol. We have literally saved several people's lives from the consequences of excessive consumption of alcohol and the violent behavior, sexual abuse, and other harmful actions it causes.
As for condominiums: I made no assertions as to what legal protections the owners should or should not have. I merely noted that the document you quoted was completely inapplicable to rentals, because the buildings in question were not rentals. (I do have opinions as to the competence and honesty of the builders of that building, and the diligence of the building's HOA - which was clearly as incompetent to deal with the situation as our current City Council is to deal with issues involving rentals.)
As for Linda Devine: I think she's a fine person and a good lawyer. We happen to disagree as to the potential effects of this ordinance, and that's fine; not everyone agrees all the time. I think that her heart's in the right place, but that if she were more familiar with our experience, or with the behaviors of our city's bureaucracy, she'd come to agree that the ordinance would be a very bad thing.
Your rude ad hominem attacks on me, however, are beyond the pale and demonstrate not only your lack of civility but your unwillingness to listen to those with hard-earned knowledge and experience.
Well Brett, I understand the effects of alcohol and its impacts, but Prohibition caused the largest crime wave in American history so banning it or over regulating it goes to far... It was clear from your arguments, you over hype the consequences. Driving 55 saved lives too, but we decided we can handle the risk....
I would posit that I posted fact while your comparing the City Council of Laramie to the HOA that killed 98 people an Ad Hominen attack that was beyond the pale.
"I do have opinions as to the competence and honesty of the builders of that building, and the diligence of the building's HOA - which was clearly as incompetent to deal with the situation as our current City Council is to deal with issues involving rentals."
PS I would council the Council to act like the Legislature in Wyoming....pass the law and let the courts decide....
Jeff's extreme anti-landlord bias is showing in this article. That's a shame, because Laramie deserves fair, ethical, unbiased news reporting. Perhaps he should rename this site "Jeff's personal opinions about things that are going on in Laramie?"