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The courts should be speedy at forcing landlords to rectify problems just as the courts should be speedy at forcing out squatters. There is no reason either sh

The courts should be speedy at forcing landlords to rectify problems just as the courts should be speedy at forcing out squatters. There is no reason either should take 6 months+ to litigate (real world example). I even had an email from the tenant stating they would start paying again if we would reduce the rent. No damage, no question about the facts, just someone who knew that worst case scenario is 6 months free housing for them, simply because that’s how long paperwork apparently takes. End result? I’m even more selective to who I rent out to, and the costs are borne by innocent people who just don’t happen to have sufficient history.

TimorousBestie 2y ago
I’m all for higher property taxes to increase courtroom bandwidth, but I doubt most landlords are.
- lotsofpulp 2y ago
  I am. I say hit everyone with a marginal land value tax rate too, so the more land value you own (even via partnerships), the higher your tax rate is.
- vondur 2y ago
  Those higher property taxes will be passed on directly to the renters.
  - TimorousBestie 2y ago
    Landlords typically despise property taxes (and land value taxes, c.f. sibling comment) because they have to pay them even if their property is unoccupied. They’d much rather pass on the cost of higher rental insurance, or failing that an income tax hike. But anyway, generally speaking, I think they benefit on average more from a slow and inefficient judicial system. The occasional 6+ month eviction battle is a rare negative outcome that comparatively few landlords have to deal with.
  - lotsofpulp 2y ago
    Prices are not solely a function of the seller’s cost of goods sold. Supply and demand determine price, so if there is sufficient supply, then rents will be too low for large landlords to recoup their tax costs, so they will be incentivized to sell the property. This means less rent seeking, and higher supply of housing for buyers.
throwaway2037 2y ago
> The courts should be speedy at forcing landlords to rectify problems just as the courts should be speedy at forcing out squatters. This raises an interesting point. In the United States, in the last 30 years, many states have introduced a voluntary "family court" system. If both sides opt-in during divorce proceedings, then the process can be much faster, cheaper, and lower friction. What if there was something similar for renters and landlords? I think it is worth a try.
- lotsofpulp 2y ago
  I see no reason to add multiple tracks to a legal/justice system, except to add avenues for corruption.

TimorousBestie 2y ago

I’m all for higher property taxes to increase courtroom bandwidth, but I doubt most landlords are.

lotsofpulp 2y ago
I am. I say hit everyone with a marginal land value tax rate too, so the more land value you own (even via partnerships), the higher your tax rate is.
vondur 2y ago
Those higher property taxes will be passed on directly to the renters.
- TimorousBestie 2y ago
  Landlords typically despise property taxes (and land value taxes, c.f. sibling comment) because they have to pay them even if their property is unoccupied. They’d much rather pass on the cost of higher rental insurance, or failing that an income tax hike. But anyway, generally speaking, I think they benefit on average more from a slow and inefficient judicial system. The occasional 6+ month eviction battle is a rare negative outcome that comparatively few landlords have to deal with.
- lotsofpulp 2y ago
  Prices are not solely a function of the seller’s cost of goods sold. Supply and demand determine price, so if there is sufficient supply, then rents will be too low for large landlords to recoup their tax costs, so they will be incentivized to sell the property. This means less rent seeking, and higher supply of housing for buyers.

throwaway2037 2y ago

> The courts should be speedy at forcing landlords to rectify problems just as the courts should be speedy at forcing out squatters. This raises an interesting point. In the United States, in the last 30 years, many states have introduced a voluntary "family court" system. If both sides opt-in during divorce proceedings, then the process can be much faster, cheaper, and lower friction. What if there was something similar for renters and landlords? I think it is worth a try.

lotsofpulp 2y ago
I see no reason to add multiple tracks to a legal/justice system, except to add avenues for corruption.