Re the Jan. 22 article on the new law requiring carbon monoxide [CO] detectors in apartments, and the recent debate over taxing landlords at a higher rate: I recently lost a friend from carbon monoxide poisoning in an apartment in the Bellevue section of the city. This young, disabled man turned his gas stove on for heat after the landlord failed to correct an inadequate heat problem in his apartment. Repeated calls to the landlord apparently went unheeded, and this man lost his life. The new law is too late for my friend, but it should have just been common sense. The cost of a CO detector is negligible compared to the cost of a human life. The apartment in question had numerous code violations and no rental certificates for any of the four apartments in the building. As for the higher tax rate on landlords, this will not solve the problem of the city’s slumlords, as they will merely pass the additional cost on to their tenants. The solution lies in stricter enforcement of code violations and stiff fines for non-compliance. If a landlord has repeated violations, this information should be made available to the general public and they should not be allowed to rent apartments in the future. Perhaps their property should even be seized. Lastly, any tenant who thinks he is getting a good deal because it says “heat included” is sadly misinformed. If the landlord is paying for the heat, he’s going to control it and keep it as low as possible to keep his costs down.
It's not all just up to the government to see that proper care is being supplied it also falls on the family and those who oversee disabled people who live on their own.
Raise the bar! If landlords have 'X' amount of violations....they should be banned from renting out their property in Schenectady. ENDOF STORY!!
And perhaps the charge for each violation should be raised as opposed to 'taxing' ALL landlords! That is just plain ridiculous!!
These city officials have got to get up to speed to see what has actually happened to the city. First the taxes are so high that everyone is barely making it. Couple that with the fact that most who are looking for a place to rent, are working at the bottom of the earning scale...if at all!
So landlords are forced to lower their rents to accommodate the renters...hence less money for the landlords to pay the mortgage, pay taxes and insurance and keep up their property. I'm not talking about the 'slumlords'. This is happening to the most responsible of landlords.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Stricter code enforcement? As if people need yet another reason why NOT to own/buy property in Schenectady.
Question - Why don't people take pride and upkeep their property in Schenectady? Answer - Because you will never recoup the money invested into the property. You might as well buy a burn barrel and throw your cash into it.
With a dysfunctional police force, outrageous taxes, a violent/failing school system, and high crime, why would a person willingly move to Schenectady? Now the city's going to bust my balls for code violations every time the city coffers are running low. Great idea.
Stricter code enforcement? As if people need yet another reason why NOT to own/buy property in Schenectady.
Question - Why don't people take pride and upkeep their property in Schenectady? Answer - Because you will never recoup the money invested into the property. You might as well buy a burn barrel and throw your the cash into it.
With a dysfunctional police force, outrageous taxes, a violent/failing school system, and high crime, why would a person willingly move to Schenectady? Now the city's going to bust my balls for code violations every time the city coffers are running low. Great idea.
You are right Cicero: they dont need stricter code enforcement sufficient codes are already in place. To much about this issue to discuss on a blog. lets leave it at Schdy County needs a throughout cleansing top to bottom
You're right Cicero, the city doesn't really have any reasons for a business or family to move into a city. The city has been throwing the taxpayers money down a rat hole for a long long time without any results. The politicians running the city have done nothing to attract businesses and lower our tax rate no matter what they claim and unless they change their methods we will become just another empty ghost town.
Stricter code enforcement? As if people need yet another reason why NOT to own/buy property in Schenectady.
Question - Why don't people take pride and upkeep their property in Schenectady? Answer - Because you will never recoup the money invested into the property. You might as well buy a burn barrel and throw your the cash into it.
With a dysfunctional police force, outrageous taxes, a violent/failing school system, and high crime, why would a person willingly move to Schenectady? Now the city's going to bust my balls for code violations every time the city coffers are running low. Great idea.
I agree....but there are probably more absent slum lords than responsible landlords in the city. Most rent to section 8. Most live out of the area. Most never respond or acknowledge that they've received a code violation. So what's the city gonna do....evict all of the tenants, find housing for them and board up the buildings? Most of these tenants are illiterate and can't speak english. Some are used for prostitution. And some for drugs. Granted some are responsible people just getting by...but that is clearly not the majority.
It is a vicious circle!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
McCarthy is an idiot if he believes that the new tax he proposes won't just be passed on to the tenants IMHO, I guess that Gary never heard of the phrase cut spending and operate within your budget.
McCarthy's plan to make landlords pay an even higher tax rate is idiotic. Maybe after he starts reforming the SPD he will have some credibility? What budget cuts? First give another $5 MILLION taxpayer handout to Bethesda House. They all must go.
BT stop blaming the oppressed City residents for the failure to field opponents. The low number of votes for these failed incumbents should send a message.
SCHENECTADY Legislators: School tax idea will not pass Farley, Tedisco say city’s plans to save money need work BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
A lack of details is sinking the city’s chances of getting anything out of the state Legislature this year, Sen. Hugh Farley and Assemblyman James Tedisco said. The city’s request for permission to tax landlords at a higher rate than owner-occupant houses won’t fly because the City Council doesn’t know how much more it would charge landlords, said Farley, R-Niskayuna. “We needed more specifics,” he said. “How much are they going to raise it?” Tedisco, R-Glenville, added, “We can’t put in a piece of legislation that is open-ended. They could do 150 percent more!” Even with details about the proposed landlord tax rate, Farley said he might not support the bill. Landlords — and some owneroccupants — have already lobbied him to oppose it, he said. What has resonated with him is the message that the tax shift would hurt renters. “Is this a tax on landlords or on low-income renters?” Farley said. “I’m telling you, the housing committee would be very concerned for the poor.” But Tedisco said they would carry the bill if it includes details on how much the city would tax landlords. “If they give us specifics and they want this, we can try,” Tedisco said. “We are not opposed to trying.” But the state legislators said Mayor Brian U. Stratton’s top request has no chance of passing, no matter how many details he includes. In that request, he wanted the city to stop paying the school taxes that city property owners don’t pay. The city school district would have to eat that loss or find ways to collect the delinquent taxes. The plan would save the city about $3.25 million, but only by passing that expense to the school district, which is supported by the same group of taxpayers. Farley said that idea was dead on arrival. “The chances of that getting out of committee are slim to none. I’d say more none than slim,” Farley said. “This is a very controversial request.” ................>>>>..............>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00900&AppName=1
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McCarthy's plan to make landlords pay an even higher tax rate is idiotic. Maybe after he starts reforming the SPD he will have some credibility? What budget cuts? First give another $5 MILLION taxpayer handout to Bethesda House. They all must go.
