I recently got an email from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson with a link to a Renter’s Survey. Not a bad idea, but as a small landlord (two single-family homes) in Seattle, why aren’t landlords asked for their input into concerns with the Seattle rental market? The city has a Renters’ Commission, again dealing only with renters’ concerns, when it should be a Rental Commission, with both parties at the table.
We landlords want to help be part of the housing solution, but Seattle is intent on labeling all landlords as evil and passing onerous regulations over the past few years. These regulations have led to the sale of rental property, especially single-family houses, resulting in fewer units for rent. That’s not helping the rental housing problem in Seattle.
Thomas Friedman, Seattle
