I’ve lost count of which week we’re on, question wise, but we’ve covered a lot of topics in our Meet the Contenders series, and we’ve still got eleven weeks of questions to go before the May 20 primary election. I hope we don’t wear these candidates out!

This week, we’ve got a question from a reader that boils down to what are the candidates’ positions on renters’ rights?

It seems that due to the current mortgage meltdown and the recession we are currently in, all of the major property management companies have decided to raise their rates in some cases up to 25 percent in non-hip areas. Most of the statues of Tenant’s rights are geared towards property owners, not renters. Leases are not worth the paper they are printed on: I have known many people who are given the 72 hours to vacate notice letter for the most shallow of reasons, but God forbid the tenant wants to walk away as management companies have no problem sticking the ex-renter with charges that are legal, but in bad faith. I.e., you have lived somewhere for 5 years without any work being done on the property, yet the ex-tenant will be billed accordingly for the work that is needed, even though the “damages” are just a part of normal wear and tear.

Is there anything the candidates are thinking of that can help tenants avoid astronomical rent hikes and find more ways to balance out the power of property owners? I am not talking about low-income housing either (which i feel is a separate issue), but working-class citizens that are not seeing their wages get any higher suddenly getting sticker shock when their rent agreements are up for renewal. In all honesty, due to my last rent hike, I am not supporting any property-tax levy because I
know this will give my management company the power to disproportionately increase my rent again beyond the true cost of the tax so they can pocket more money. People are squeezed as much as they can be and this would be will just lower the standard of living to a high degree. I love this town, but it seems that the citizens who are not broke, nor own homes do not really have anyone looking out for them.

I wish to remain anonymous because i am afraid of retaliation.

Got a question for our candidates? Email me.

Here we go…

Randy Leonard
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: randyforportland.com
Public financing status: Not participating in program

The biggest issue apartment renters in Portland face now is the conversion of traditional apartment houses to condominium units. Unscrupulous landlords have been raising rents to get renters to move out so they can sell their units without having to provide them with relocation reimbursement.

My office testified in favor of a bill in the Oregon Legislature last session that would have given tenants more rights when rental units are proposed to be sold for condos. That bill failed.

I am currently researching what we as a city can do to create a law giving renters more rights than what the state law currently affords them.

I am very much in favor of giving tenants more rights in Portland than what Oregon state law provides.

Martha Perez
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: none (contact: moperez73@aol.com)
Public financing status: Participated, did not qualify

My understanding is that when the sub-prime mortgage crisis hit, many assumed that it would be of benefit to those who are at the rental front-lines -- perhaps rent prices might start decreasing; actually, what happened, is that those folks who lost their homes (for whatever reasons) ended up as new renters and it had the effect of crowding into the already existing tenant market. The point is, yes, it is true: as a response, the major property management companies ended up being the main beneficiaries of the mortgage crisis, especially in those cities where new building construction was severely limited (San Diego, for example). What I am learning is this: if you want to locate larger apartments for affordable prices, guess what? They're not going to be found in the city core; they are found in places like Gresham, Tigard...etc., in areas far-flung from Portland. This is unfortunate for a variety of reasons, including my desire to see more in-fill and increased use of inner- core resources, rather than un-limited expansion into wildlife habitats. I am not the only one who would like to reclaim their city.

Therefore, I agree that a balance needs to occur, with respect to Tenants' Rights and Property Owners/Management, as well as that of existing/would-be Homeowners, to be fair. It is hard to comply with a 72-Hour-Notice-to-Vacate, when you are elderly, working poor, a family with children, low-income or had expected to reside there longer than 72 hours. Don't tell me that it's just business as usual-I don't and won't buy it. Let's stop waiting until it's an emergency to start dealing with it. We can plan for these types of issues NOW. To be fair, I do feel that we as tenants ought to always treat our living facilities with gentle care. This has not always been the case, I realize. It is also appreciated when a maintenance issue is dealed with by Management in a manner that is timely, affordable and transparent, so my thanks. I also like that some apartment complexes are installing security guards who are friendly, professional and useful.

In addition, I also feel that we need to increase the number of visiting nurse clinics who can come to apartment buildings and provide some basic healthcare maintenance. I feel that as we age, have kids, or in general, that this concept would help to alleviate the problems of those of us who have to do without health insurance. It is not a permanent solution, but it would steer us in the right direction. I'm not sure how we could pay for it; however, I know that there's a lot of potential grant monies and the idea of applying any tax levies to our on-going struggle for healthcare is not necessarily an evil idea. Many would benefit from having a visiting nurse to dispense bandages, free condoms, birth control, diabetes medication or blood pressure checks, basic eye care, foot care, etc. Would this cut down on you having to call 911? I don't know. But I know that if we don't try, then nothing will change.

Most important, I'm aware that the Tenant-Owner relationship should be 110%, not 50-50. We need to communicate with one another in a respectful manner, if we are to achieve better equity. One way that tenants have historically empowered and educated Management, is thru the wise guidance of a tenants' council. This is our right & responsibility to organize as tenants (and as workers). I applaud the work that CATS - Community Alliance of Tenants, does everyday to realize this vision. I don't like the idea of rent caps, but would consider them, yet at the same time, endorse those alternative ideas that are creative, affordable and workable. I am also concerned about rent discrimination and it bothers me to know that at least one non-profit organization is reporting an increase in the number of downtown elderly having to deal with eviction/related issues. I also should be considered someone who supports the idea of making public housing programs available for anybody who needs it (HUD, Section 8 Vouchers, Housing Authority of Portland, etc). In my wildest dreams, we should get rid of the poverty-income guidelines, because they tend to hurt the working poor the most: there are many folks who make slightly too much and don't qualify. And for those who do qualify, it takes years to get in. I believe housing assistance is NOT welfare, it is a human right!

On a more personal note, I also love Portland, my beloved Puddletown; I pledge to try harder, to answer the tough questions, because the answers matter. I respect those who wish to remain anonymous; I tried to answer your question, but I'll let you be the judge, to decide if I am the worthy leader or not. I feel that a politician does not take from her constituency; she brings resources to them....and this is my ultimate goal. I would like to be the Peoples' Representative, the Voice That Brings An End to the Silence, and the One Who Brings Goodwill to All. What is good for the tenant, should be good for the property owner (not always one-size-fits-all, however).

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to listen to my comments. Best wishes.

Humbly Submitted,

Martha Perez
General Political Activist
Candidate, City Commissioner, Position No. 4 (Public Safety)

Ed Kill
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: none
Public financing status: Not participating in program

Did not respond.

Emily S. Ryan
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: emilysryan.com
Public financing status: Participated, did not qualify.

Did not respond.