By Eileen Garrison
I hope all the tenants who are living in these rent control units (“First-come, first-served,” May 19-20) are saving their money, because I guarantee you rent control will end and these people will be out on the streets with the homeless. Landlords, wake up and start keeping an eye on your rent control units. Recently, I caught a long-time tenant who purchased a $1.5 million home in Pacific Palisades and had moved into their purchase and rented out my unit for $800 more than they were paying me. When I discovered this, I knocked on the door and informed the new tenant (who said they were “friends”) that I did not know them and they had to vacate. Within one week, they were gone.
That’s the kind of deceit that goes on in this city. I am sick and tired of watching these freeloaders sitting up on Montana Avenue coffee shops acting like they are big shots while us landlords sacrifice to pay taxes and mortgages. What happened to our rights? Our rights to make a fair return on our investment? Our right to live in our own building? Our right to do as we please with our property? Our right to go out of business if we so choose. I could go on and on. If tenants want rights, go out and purchase your own building. In my book, you have rights when you earn them, and prove yourself by working hard and stop leeching off others. Take responsibility for yourself so we don’t end up with another generation of welfare recipients and freeloaders.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 2, 2007. Read the original PDF.