From: keithl@klic.rain.com (Keith Lofstrom)
Subject: Libertarianism and landlords
Organization: Keith Lofstrom Integrated Circuits
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 20:40:06 GMT

In article <BZS.93Jan10215441@world.std.com> bzs@world.std.com (Barry Shein) writes:
>
>Well, the whole world, no matter how you structure it, will not be in
>the position of "obsequious shopkeepers". Many will have a much more
>powerful position. For example, taken from today's society, landlords
>(some landlords, but not a tiny number, and not all either.)
>
>Landlords, particularly in situations where tenants are not awfully
>wealthy or otherwise have strong motivations to stay put (e.g. college
>towns) can be horribly abusive, I certainly have witnessed this and
>even fought with a few in my day.
>
> ... misc. horrible examples deleted

Barry has had some horrible problems with landlords, and draws the conclusion
that landlords are horrible.  For those of you not caught up in this cycle
yet, here's some clues:

1)  Landlords are people (usually :-) )

2)  Landlords talk to each other.

3)  Landlords have an enormously expensive investment to protect, that can
    be rendered useless - or even a hazardous waste cleanup nightmare -
    by one tenant!

I imagine Barry has gotten stuck in the uncomfortable category of "pain in
the ass tenant" (whether he actually is or not).  There are landlords who
won't rent to those considered "pain in the ass", and the landlords who do
are often a pain in the ass themselves.  

I have been renting all my life.  Except for my first experience as
a college student, I've been a pretty good tenant.  I don't worry too
much about the contract;  if something minor is broken, I call the
landlord for an OK, then fix it myself.  If a major appliance needs
replacement, I measure for sizes, fittings, color,  etc., and help
the landlord install it.  I leave the rental in better shape than I
found it. I've always had refunds on my cleaning deposits. In general,
I try to form a cooperative arrangement with the landlord or manager.
As a result, I have my choice of rentals when I move, and my rent
is very rarely raised (and has been lowered).  I've probably been
very lucky, but I think I've earned part of that "luck".  The
landlords know I will protect their investment as if it is my own.

Libertarianism is about the formation of voluntary relationships at
the individual level, instead of massive rule formation at the national
level.  I have been able to form some pleasing small-scale relationships.
To have those relationships regulated by the government would destroy
them;  effectively, I would be subletting through the government.  No
doubt there are tenants and landlords out there who are so bad that
renting through the government is a preferable alternative to their
current situation, but either party can voluntarily break out of that
trap by responsible behavior and the passage of time.

Someday I will be badly mistreated by a landlord, as I have been
mistreated by others.  I may have to break a lease, and I may have
to do it in court.  I think I can bring in enough character witnesses
to make my point, from among the pool of satisfied landlords I have had. 
However, I will do my damndest to avoid that situation, through 
negotiation, avoidance of the problem in the first place, and the 
willingness to minimize my losses and walk away. 


-- 
Keith Lofstrom         keithl@klic.rain.com       Voice (503)-520-1993
KLIC --- Keith Lofstrom Integrated Circuits --- "Your Ideas in Silicon"
Design Contracting in Bipolar and CMOS - Analog, Digital, and Power ICs
Xref: sparky alt.politics.libertarian:3142 comp.org.eff.talk:8415 alt.amateur-comp:528 soc.culture.usa:9566 alt.activism:20161