Letter: Costs have gone up for landlords, too

Graphic by Lori Deaton

[Regarding the letter, “Hooray for Reasonable Landlords,” April 12, Xpress:]

In response to Ms. Lorrie Streifel’s question, “Is this the effect of capitalism?” many of us are aware that because of rampant, continuing inflation, an average citizen has lost about 7.4% in purchasing power in the last two years. (The “hidden tax.” Think of that.)

As costs for landlords go up, as most costs have and continue to do (some dramatically), the need for higher rentals usually goes with it.

Congratulations to any landlord who graciously holds the line, but I suspect most cannot afford to do so for long and still provide the housing.

— Michael Childs
Charlotte

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15 thoughts on “Letter: Costs have gone up for landlords, too

  1. Mike

    Spurious argument. The mortgage payment for the landlord (if any) is a fixed cost except for the very small percentage that represents property taxes and insurance. Rental increases began prior to high inflation and still vastly outpace it. Supply/demand is the primary driver of this market increase, not inflation.

    • Michael Childs

      Ol’ Mike, when we had a two-unit place to rent, costs for minor and major repairs, minimum maintenance, insurance, materials and TV/WIFI went up continually. At our current apartment home, the landlords deal with increased costs of employees, insurance, pool maintenance, landscaping, replacement items (carpet, plumbing, siding, shingles, etc.), paving, cleaning stairs and landings, pest killing…whoo, it goes on and on. Inflation reigns, as seldom before!

        • Michael Childs

          Sure. An inflation rate flaming like this one for two years ain’t hay, and it is a genuine factor. That was my point, and we agree on it, which means it is not a spurious argument, and you may want to re-do your original letter (I just re-read it) which dismissed the many costs affected by soaring inflation.

          • Mike

            Not me different Mike I’m just a responder unless you mean my original comment- no letter. If so, I agree that inflation is a factor just absolutely not the primary one which is what your letter presents. Thanks.

          • Michael Childs

            Mike, I said that, because of inflation, most people can’t afford to hold the line, and that is true. In your original letter, you said that was a spurious argument, which we agree it is not, and you dismissed rising costs as a factor in rising rentals, which is not true. Out.

  2. Robert

    Some (but not all) reasons for higher rental prices:
    –Increased tourism has led to more short-term rentals and fewer long-term options.
    –More transplants from more wealthy areas have scooped up ‘affordable’ 2nd and 3rd homes that were formerly ‘affordable’ rentals. (Many lured here by the incessant advertising by the BCTDA)
    –More corporate landlords in our area than before.
    –Some longtime local landlords ride the wave, go along with the masses and raise prices by as much as the market will allow. (Just last week, a young person told me his rent had gone up by 30%, and now this essential worker must move.)
    –Inflation (in some cases). It is more costly to do repairs and find great craftspeople to do them.
    Just the facts…

    • Grant Millin

      Blue collar people like home repair folks can’t afford Asheville. Just falling for the idea that there is no alternative isn’t good enough. Becoming a Wellbeing Economy like Denmark is at least a long-term vision.

      • clayton moore

        Good to see Grant is still in bizness….did he ever tame the mufferless Harleys on the Bloo Ridge Parkway?

  3. WNC

    Anyone who wants to purchase property at market value and rent for below market value is welcome to do so.

    I would expect your tenure as a landlord to be short.

  4. Reeb Cham

    How much does the Fred Seely Overlook Castle on Town Mountian Rd rent for for special events?
    It would be a great site for a movie.
    Is the place haunted?

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