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One dynamic that has always existed, but we're seeing play out so frequently now:
When tenants break the law, they are evicted, have their credit destroyed, and can even be jailed.
When landlords break the law, they're usually just sent a strongly worded letter. (thread)
When tenants break the law, they are evicted, have their credit destroyed, and can even be jailed.
When landlords break the law, they're usually just sent a strongly worded letter. (thread)
Penalties for landlord malfeasance barely exist. Without penalties, there's no disincentive for tricking tenants into self-evicting, or paying rent they don’t have to, or signing something they shouldn’t.
That’s the big reason you’re seeing those things happen across the US now.
That’s the big reason you’re seeing those things happen across the US now.
Like stopping sexual harassment in the workplace, stopping landlord abuses puts huge demands on the victims -- they have to know the rules, file complaints in the right offices, and often have access to a lawyer.
What we need are systems that shift responsibility to landlords.
What we need are systems that shift responsibility to landlords.
What if there were real penalties for landlords attempting to raise rent on tenants illegally? That would force landlords to know tenant rights—a responsibility that is currently placed solely on the tenant.
What if there were a public database of landlords that had complaints?
What if there were a public database of landlords that had complaints?
What if there were proactive efforts on education on tenant rights, like mandatory sexual harassment trainings in workplaces?
What if everyone were entitled to get access to an eviction lawyer, or a city-funded tenant’s rights advocate?
What if everyone were entitled to get access to an eviction lawyer, or a city-funded tenant’s rights advocate?
LA used to have systems that better protected tenants.
We had a rent office during WWII to ensure that, in the midst of global turmoil, renters wouldn't lose their homes and rules for landlords would be enforced.
It's an idea worth bringing back today. https://luskincenter.history.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2018/09/People-Are-Simply-Unable-to-Pay-the-Rent.pdf
We had a rent office during WWII to ensure that, in the midst of global turmoil, renters wouldn't lose their homes and rules for landlords would be enforced.
It's an idea worth bringing back today. https://luskincenter.history.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2018/09/People-Are-Simply-Unable-to-Pay-the-Rent.pdf
Not all landlords are bad actors. But in the tenant-landlord equation, they're the ones with the opportunity to seek profit.
Therefore, the responsibility to understand the law -- and the penalties for violating it -- should fall on them as much or more than they do on tenants.
Therefore, the responsibility to understand the law -- and the penalties for violating it -- should fall on them as much or more than they do on tenants.
