4 ms·

Why? Eviction processes in most cities take months, and if the 2008 crisis is any indication, even _then_ they'll be slow to leave. Just logistically, how do yo

Why? Eviction processes in most cities take months, and if the 2008 crisis is any indication, even _then_ they'll be slow to leave. Just logistically, how do you physically evict tens of thousands of people in every major metro area in that short a period of time? I'm not downplaying the seriousness of what's happening, as the economic impact will be catastrophic. But physically evicting large percentages of a population with no sudden increase in demand for those properties, seems like an unlikely outcome.

woeirua 6y ago
Lawful evictions take time, yes, but as the system becomes overwhelmed desperate landlords are going to take matters into their own hands. Cops, strained by lots of other problems just wont have the time or resources to respond to all the calls of people who had the locks changed on them illegally.
- thrownaway996 6y ago
  Sure, but who is renting the property after that? In your scenario, the answer is, noone, which significantly incentivizes at least _some_ of the landlords to negotiate with tenants, instead of mass eviction. Some income is better in the short-run than no-income, particularly for small property owners.
  - michaelmrose 6y ago
    They might well turn to speculators willing to buy out the property even at less than current price. If you own a 250k property and haven't been paid the rent you expect for months 50%-75% on the dollar so you can pay your own expenses might look attractive.
michaelmrose 6y ago
Interesting question. In theory everyone could drag it into court but most states don't provide much protection from being evicted if you can't pay your rent so such moves are merely delaying actions. The property owning class loves to share horror stories about tenants that took months to get out but renters have remarkably few protections in reality due to an imbalance of money. Homeowners will probably find a way to catch up before losing their rear but renters could trivially find themselves in very quick perfunctory hearings where they are quickly told to put up or get out. Many with relatives with a spare couch or even a spare floor to sleep on might see the writing on the wall and get out before they are humiliated by being put out. If most evictions are carried out without a trial or hearing of any variety simply with a note on the door the courts will be able to keep up with the few that contest.

woeirua 6y ago

Lawful evictions take time, yes, but as the system becomes overwhelmed desperate landlords are going to take matters into their own hands. Cops, strained by lots of other problems just wont have the time or resources to respond to all the calls of people who had the locks changed on them illegally.

thrownaway996 6y ago
Sure, but who is renting the property after that? In your scenario, the answer is, noone, which significantly incentivizes at least _some_ of the landlords to negotiate with tenants, instead of mass eviction. Some income is better in the short-run than no-income, particularly for small property owners.
- michaelmrose 6y ago
  They might well turn to speculators willing to buy out the property even at less than current price. If you own a 250k property and haven't been paid the rent you expect for months 50%-75% on the dollar so you can pay your own expenses might look attractive.

michaelmrose 6y ago

Interesting question. In theory everyone could drag it into court but most states don't provide much protection from being evicted if you can't pay your rent so such moves are merely delaying actions. The property owning class loves to share horror stories about tenants that took months to get out but renters have remarkably few protections in reality due to an imbalance of money. Homeowners will probably find a way to catch up before losing their rear but renters could trivially find themselves in very quick perfunctory hearings where they are quickly told to put up or get out. Many with relatives with a spare couch or even a spare floor to sleep on might see the writing on the wall and get out before they are humiliated by being put out. If most evictions are carried out without a trial or hearing of any variety simply with a note on the door the courts will be able to keep up with the few that contest.