Ann Arbor, Michigan recently became the third jurisdiction in the nation to create a tenants’ commission to “amplify the voices of renters.” Unlike similar commissions in Seattle and King County, Washington, landlords will be a part of the commission. However, they will not be allowed to vote on any issues before the commission.
Some council members objected to the inclusion of landlords on the commission. One council member said,
Having landlords at the table versus having the opportunity to come to a renters commission and make public comments and complain or offer perspective in the same way that we heard perspectives in just the last few months — I mean I don’t know that anyone sitting here can really accept that landlords will not be heard unless they’re allowed a seat at the table. We heard them loud and clear. They are very well organized.
The council may have heard landlords, but they certainly weren’t listening. The city had previously passed an Early Leasing Ordinance setting restrictions on when landlords could show properties to prospective tenants. Landlords opposed the ordinance and have filed suit against the city.
Despite the crucial role that landlords play in providing housing, council members are showing blatant disdain towards them. Apparently, since landlords are well organized, there is no reason for them to have a voice in matters that will directly impact them. Apparently, they are supposed to accept whatever the council cares to impose upon them.
We can be certain that the commission will make recommendations to the city council that will be harmful to rental property owners. And that will ultimately be harmful to tenants. The more controls and restrictions that are placed on landlords, the less able they are to provide housing. The uncertainty of what may come next makes long-term planning impossible.
Of course, city council isn’t concerned about the long term. It sees a problem today and has enacted a “solution” today. What happens tomorrow will be dealt with then. That type of short-term thinking is what created the housing crisis.