Evictionland
I find this article pretty infuriating.<p>Poverty and housing insecurity are definite societal problems, but does that make it the fault or responsibility of each individual landlord?<p>The author of this article basically stole tens of thousands of dollars in free housing from some private party and then wrote an article blaming them for the end result.<p>There was apparently no attempt to work something out, no attempt to move out without being forced out, no recognition of their own responsibility in this situation, and I suspect no ultimate attempt to pay back what they owe.<p>I have owned several small rental properties for almost 15 years. I’ve had to evict two tenants, never getting quite to the point of having the Sheriff show up while we pile their stuff on the curb, but I have that scheduled right now for Feb 22. This tenant has not paid their rent since Oct. The eviction has been grinding through the process since Nov. Every week, it’s a different sob story about the bad luck that is preventing this tenant from paying their rent.<p>I’m not a monster. I don’t want to force anyone out. But seriously, what am I supposed to do? I can’t afford to just let my tenants not pay rent, and without the threat of eviction, some wouldn’t. So seriously, what am I supposed to do?<p>I’ve been at this long enough that I know the answer: give one second chance, then evict. But it still infuriates me to see people who are happy to steal from me write articles implying that I’m a racist heartless monster because I dare provide market-rate housing and hold them to their word when they sign a lease.<p>EDIT: think of it like this: someone hires you to work on their website idea. You work for months, fully fulfilling your end, then they refuse to pay. You take them to court and “win” (though you still never collect), then they write an article about how web developers are too greedy and expensive and they actually have the audacity to demand payment for their work!