Category:
Housing, property rights
Level:
Local
This
article concerns implemented and potential policies that affect individuals and
families
The
city of Austin is considering policy which would require all rental properties
to register and submit to inspection. Currently, only short-term rental
properties are required to register.
My
views:
Because
I have a somewhat anonymous presence on this blog, I will risk admitting to my
crimes: for the past few years, I have been renting my home out during ACL and
SXSW. I know. It’s a shameful secret. I could do it legally, if only I paid the
city $300 a year and paid hotel occupancy taxes. And perhaps I should. These
fees, after all, allow the city to inspect my home to be sure that I don’t
force festival goers to live in squalor and filth during their five to ten day
stay. They should feel safe indeed, my hipster renters, knowing that the city
of Austin is looking out for their best interests.
Those
who live in the apartments surrounding my house, however, are not so lucky. Those
who own the apartments, homes, and duplexes they live in are not required to
register and are not required to submit to inspection. Let me tell you, the
condition of long-term rental properties in many east Austin neighborhoods is
shameful. The rental house next door to me (which houses five to eight strange
men and occasionally a couple of children, no big deal I’m sure) is missing
part of its roof. My friend has been fighting with his landlord about cockroach
infestations and faulty air-conditioning for the past four months. Not to
mention the rows and rows of apartment buildings lining 290 which look about
ready to cave in. I am glad to see that someone in the city is finally
considering the possibility that these properties should register and submit to
inspection.
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