Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site axiom.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!axiom!burt
From: burt@axiom.UUCP (Burt Janz)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: Rental Housing, rent control
Message-ID: <567@axiom.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 11-May-84 08:41:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: axiom.567
Posted: Fri May 11 08:41:07 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 12-May-84 02:17:02 EDT
References: <176@ccieng2.UUCP>, <4624@amd70.UUCP> <3263@fortune.UUCP>
Organization: Axiom Technology, Newton MA
Lines: 33

<Hail to thee, buggie>

  Having lived in rant (not rent) controlled apartments in the past,
I felt that I should relate an experience.  Patience, me harties, it
won't take long.
  One of my past landlords put in a new heating and water filtration system.
It made the apartment building a GOOD deal warmer in the winter and cleaned
the guck out of the water (as any moderately good filter will).  Since this
was a rant-controlled apartment, he applied for, and got, an adjustment to
his rates.

	Myself, and everyone I knew in the apartment building felt that
the adjustment was fair, since we had gotten something in return.

  That's it.  If you are renting, and your rent is raised because of changes
to the apartment that make your life better, go for it.  If not, MOVE OUT!!
Landlords are in the business of making money, but renters must also make
allotments for good faith increases in the rent.
  By the way, my last apartment (in Nashua, NH) was NOT rent controlled.  The
rent was increased > $20 every 6 months!!!  Talk about abuse!!  (The reasons
were that (a) "we put in new curbs" (the old ones were cement, the new ones
rolled tar), (b) "we put in water savers" (15 cent plugs in shower heads that
cause you to use less water and conversely take longer), (c) "the grounds are
well lit" (with mercury lamps of course, not cheaper sodium), among others
excuses.  I felt physically abused.  Now we are renting a house with option
to buy.  The builder has been VERY responsive to the small problems with
brand new houses.)

			Burt Janz @ Axiom Technology, Newton MA

"My brain hurts..."