Washington becomes first state to guarantee lawyers for low-income tenants during evictions

[Lennie]

Washington becomes first state to guarantee lawyers for low-income tenants during evictions

SEATTLE — Washington is now the first state in the U.S. to ensure that its poorest tenants have access to a lawyer during eviction proceedings.

www.bakersfield.com

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[slimmer13]

Over the next few years, there's a likelihood of me inheriting at least some interest in some properties. I'd really like to rent them out for extra income, but the way this state is going, I think I'll just push to sell them and cash out.

 

[Lennie]

With this law, a few things will happen:
1. Landlords will often have to hire an attorney to enforce evictions involving low income renters.
2. Available rental units for low income folks will decline as investors respond to this law.
3. If a renter goes to state for legal representation, eviction will be a civil case taking months before an eviction can take place. This means the landlord is out months of rent while renter stays rent free and the landlord has to spend thousands in attorney fees in an effort to secure an eviction.
4. Homeless rates will actually increase because of this law.
5. Lawyers have a new gold mine to exploit at the expense of tax payers.

 

[Mikej]

Over the next few years, there's a likelihood of me inheriting at least some interest in some properties. I'd really like to rent them out for extra income, but the way this state is going, I think I'll just push to sell them and cash out.

No kidding. I don't know how it works elsewhere, but I believe in potland that you can't legally screen your tenants. First application that meets your requirements must be given the rental. I don't know how they check up on it though.

 

[clearconscience]

I don't know how anyone would hang on to rentals on the west coast. Especially in this market.
Sell high and move on.

These laws only seek to remove real estate and long term finances from the average person and into big money hands.
Ie. Socialism.

They are/will do the same thing to farm land.

 

[Lennie]

They are/will do the same thing to farm land.

It's already here.
When I grew up, an apple grower with 500 acres of apples was a big operation. Today, you can't make a living on 500 acres of apples. Fewer than 10 entities now control 75% of Washington's apple production.

In 1980, Washington state had about 800 potato growers. Today it is less than 60 and production has increased.

Washington state is ranked 10th in US milk production. 15% of the dairy farms in Washington state produce over 80% of the milk.

We now have what like to call industrial hay growers. The largest one puts up 27,000 acres of hay and Timothy. Each year, they usually do 5 cuttings of alfalfa on 18,000 acres and two cuttings of Timothy on 9,000 acres.

 

[Trapdoor45-70]

I suspect that private rental properties will decrease over time in states like Oregon and government will step in to fill the void with public housing.

Leading to more bureaucracy, more public union jobs, more taxes, less accountability and less citizen input.

Oregon is considering a "super siting" law to allow local government more authority to site and establish camps or housing for homeless. Haven't read the proposed law, but I am skeptical it's a good thing for homeowners.

 

[albin25]

I'm thinking that we're going to begin seeing a growing trend of ...
... eviction, "Italian Style".


- 'Hey, Vinnie, where's your old deadbeat tenant?"
- "I dunno Pauly,...
...the stupid mook jus' took all his stuff, an' up and uhhh...disappeared!"

 

[Alexx1401]

This again is the voters getting exactly what they deserve. WA is not new to this. They have been dreaming up laws to screw over the poor for a long time. Always "sounds great" but, anyone with a brain knows better. All the new laws do it make it worse and worse for the "poor". Who then cry and scream for the people who made the mess to "fix it". Then they vote for more of it.A LOT of people have been living it up, enjoying free rent since this hoax started. They of course sooner or later will be pried out of the place they are living for free. Then reality will hit them in the face when they try to move. Suddenly they find no one will rent to them. So they will scream and cry for law makers to "do something".

 

[BrentN]

This sounds like fake news. How can the government think they have any reason to get in the middle of a contract between private citizens?


(Make sure your sarcasm meter is working before responding, lol)

 

[Mikej]

This sounds like fake news. How can the government think they have any reason to get in the middle of a contract between private citizens?


(Make sure your sarcasm meter is working before responding, lol)

These people need help, and it's up to the government to help them! "Government FOR the People" and all that.

I think they ought to let them set up camps in/on the Capitol Mall in Salem!

How's that?

 

[Certaindeaf]

Why do they need a lawyer for not abiding a contract? Scum.

 

[Mikej]

I'd like to know how many renter tenants are able to pay rent but don't? Are there any stats? You've got to figure the majority of people renting their residences really don't want to be behind in rent. There have to be some that are hurting, but paying what they can? Renters AND landlords have received gov compensation. What are the numbers? You certainly can't believe the likes of Lars Larson. He makes it sound like most people, even if they COULD, don't pay rent!