Comments about ‘Provo tightens rental laws’

West Valley City would have about 50,000 fewer residents if they passed a bill like this. I can't wait for someone to cry discrimination on this one!

What a waste of resources and tax payer money. I guess if the government can't resolve real issues, it may as well spend the money on something, regardless of how worthless and frivelous. The sad thing is, someone had to think of this idea, and even more people had to think it was a good idea, and additional people still decided to actually implement it! A chain of shame!

I think every city should crack down on these illegal apartments. I paid good money for my single family home and do not want to live in a neighborhood of duplexes when they are not zoned as such.

I think the city of Provo is quick to forget how important students and young families are to its culture and economy. This seems short-sited at best.

go talk to the West Valley Housing Authority. They very quickly approve 2 bedroom units for single seniors because they need a storage room, craft room or catch all room. Go to the Salt Lake County Housing Authority and they will tell you that a married couple is only allowed to have a one bedroom unit because there is 2 of them. Recently, one of my neighbors with 2 teenagers was told that her son and daughter can share the same bedroom until they reach 18 which meant that she could only rent a 2 bedroom unit.

Now when I saw title of this article I thought - great - the kids at the colleges won't be kicked out of their homes for Education Week. Boy was I wrong. After the hearing that this happened to kids last year - this year I will not be volunteering at BYU Ed Week.

They'll consider giving somebody a permit to turn Rock Canyon into a quarry, but they won't let people rent out part of their house unless they live there too.

Some people in Provo want the advantages of the university with none of the drawbacks. I get the feeling most BYU students aren't active in municipal politics. They'll continue to get slighted until they make their voices heard. Maybe it's time for a voter-registration drive?

I'm always amazed by comments from people who don't live in Provo about Provo's business. I live in that area, and am sick and tired of illegal duplexes all over the place. They are always the ones without sprinkler systems, with untended lawns, and usually, a couple rotting couches in the back yard for good measure, not to mention 6 or 7 cars spilling all over the street since they never have enough parking for the tenants.

The people who have these apartments get them at a price--the price is living in the house and living by the rules. Since you can get $600 a month for a 1 bedroom apartment, I'd say its worth it to them to live by those rules. If somebody wants a duplex, buy a real duplex that has the zoning to go with it. Don't just assume any old house in Provo is going to have those rights. That isn't how it works.

I'm for any law that breaks up communal homes with too many occupants. With communal homes they are poorly maintained and electrical systeme overloaded with every room becoming a kitchnette and danger to all occupants. Single family homes are not designed for communal living and should be banned state wide. This law also helps rid a community of illegal aliens setting up village living conditions in a single family home. Communal living breeds disease, disrespect of property, and crowding neighborhoods with gangs. Most of these property owners have abused the rights of property owners in allowing too many occupants of single family residences. As mentioned there is the problem of tax evasion and not reporting income from renters.

I don't live in Provo (but my children do)but in another college town (student population of 36,000)where this is a problem. Our ordinance is "no 2 unrelated people in the same unit" in specific areas. It is a very touchy subject because there are all kinds of situations that can be affected. One group that is hurt are those that move to an area, are not aware of these ordinances and in good faith rent a home or basement apt. Out of nowhere someone shows up at their door and out they go. The owner turns around and does it again and the only consequence is a slap on the wrist. Or the widow who, to meet expenses, invites a friend to live with her. Here come the ordinance police and out the friend goes--yes this happened here! As any homeowner, I want to protect my home value but I also recognize that our community is enhanced by the students and the energy they bring. I have found that 95% of students are respectful, delightful, and easy to work with. Plus they feed my animals and mow my lawn when I'm out of town!

Deb--I'll agree most students can be good neighbors, but when your neighborhood's long term residents are replaced by them you quickly see the neighborhood's character changed. School enrollments decline, and schools start closing. Older homes need a lot of love, and absentee landlords could mostly care less. Provo has had 2 schools just south of campus closed in the last 10 years.

John P: I own my home and I don't have a sprinkler system. I too am not a big fan of illegal duplexes but I know a lot of owner occupied homes that aren't kept up on. If you want to live in a neighborhood where that's not the case perhaps you should look into moving to place with an HOA.

So, let me get this straight. BYU requires its students to live within a certain distance of campus, but Provo is unwilling to accommodate housing for said students?

If you don't like living by students, why in the world are you living south of campus in Provo? If the city is going to start inspecting for residents, maybe they should start checking verifying whether or not the buildings themselves are up to code as well.

I know some complexes that are in the same condition today as they were 2 generations (40 years) ago. Maybe it is time for a voter registration rally... or a housing protest.

I agree that these zoning laws, both before and after these "clarifications", have resulted and are going to result in more enforcement costs -- but that's not the issue.

The issue is why do they think that such double standards are fair?
#1 -- you can have unlimited adults in a house as long as they're closely related.
#2 -- you can only have X number of adults in a house or in the apartment if they're NOT related.

The government is supposed to protect our rights to congregate or live with whomever we want.

Safety, health, and traffic standards are applied equally to everybody so why not the number of adults in a house?!

Help change these type of short-sighted laws by signing the Fair Zoning Initiative petition! (Google ProvoCitizens to find it)

Thanks,

Roger Brown
801-356-1032

P.S. Abraham Lincoln said: "Bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible; still, while they continue in force, they should be religiously observed." So let's all come together and fix these laws quickly! Evading them will not help you or your neighbors!

This is an interesting law. Unfortunately we'll need to repeal another law that is in direct conflict of it. It's called the fourth amendment - shouldn't be to difficult to overturn.

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The Constitution
Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
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Call me to sign the Fair Zoning Initiative petition to get it on this November's ballot! :)

Roger Brown
801-356-1032

Being a Provo resident and a college student, I can see two differant perspectives. Growing up here, you get to see things in a differant light than others. I for one am glad that Provo is cracking down. It's about time. This city may have a university in it, but it is NOT the city. They do not get the right to overrule what residents need and what Provo thinks is best for the city. I am tired or students complaing when they do not live here but for a short period of time. The residents of Provo should continue to get top priority to matters concerning the city.

The term "rental cheat" should be balanced by "nanny-state oppressors". The huge irony is that Provo hosts the "Freedom Festival", but I guess that's for only one day per year.

If you want all your neighbors to live by a bunch of heavy-handed rules, then move to a gated community. What, you can't afford that? Well maybe you can get the gov't to enforce your opinions!!

Running a city is not like being Primary president -- in church you can only persuade, but govt. action ALWAYS relies on the threat of force. Most Utahns seem unable to distinguish between church and state, thinking that just because someone is friendly at church "they can't possibly be a socialist!!"

If you want your kids to be raised in a certain kind of neighborhood -- MOVE THERE. It is immoral to enforce by law that which you could easily observe and do.

Maybe Provo can make a law limiting BYU to 15,000 students, or forcing them to require BYU faculty/staff to live w/in 3 miles of campus. They won't do that because it's easier to roll "the widows and fatherless".

Mr/Ms Great it seems like you're saying that there should be two sets of standards?
One for long-term and one for short-term residents?
How many years should someone live here before they get first-class protection?

And Dave, amen! ;) It's sad that they seem to forget about "gentle persuasion".

I think they're really unaware of the direction they're going -- it's micro-managing that's gotten way out of hand - it seems that in their minds their ends justify their means.

I wish there were more examples of neighbors calling landlords and getting to know them and offering to help before condemning them. I think most landlords are decent even though there's a big enough minority of "slumlords" to stay in people's minds. It's human nature for people to remember the bad examples much more than the good examples.

Reminds me of the "good neighbor sighting" wiki that a brother in the tree streets started back in 2003! :)

I hope when enough "widows and fatherless" talk with the council members that their hearts will be softened -- especially if the widows are friends/family of the council's friends/family.