J. Linn Allen’s article about Chicago Eviction Court was interesting (Nov. 16, Real Estate), but it appeared to be more sympathetic to tenants’ rights than the landlords. Most landlords are just Ma and Pa organizations trying to pay the bills, but the news media never tell their problems–its always the tenants and Tenants Rights.
We landlords cannot solve homelessness and poverty, nor should we be expected to; not unless, of course, we get our share of subsidy handouts from the government. People in financial trouble need to contact welfare or charity for help.
Without property owners, I doubt this city and the neighborhoods would be so beautiful. We rehab the old housing stock, and, of course, are an excellent tax base. Much of the real estate in Chicago is single family or two- or four-flats. There may be some six-flats occasionally or larger, but all in all we are not big fat-cat landlords.
Apartments are my tenants’ homes, as long as they meet their responsibilities– otherwise not, no matter what they may think. That’s the way my banker feels about me and my property. If I go to foreclosure court, guess what? Nobody does any studies, and there are no free defense committees to help me out.
