Reader comments
Utah's rental market is squeezing residents
33 comments | Read story
Anonymous | 1:15 p.m. April 14, 2009
So sad. I hope property owners will not become greedy and keep their prices
low.
ikenhowitzer | 1:17 p.m. April 14, 2009
Are you ready for tent cities in Utah and around the nation? Landlords have
become greedy and unsympathetic to anything but the almighty dollar. Where I
rent they ignore everything but he most detrimental of issues. It is like living
in a thrid world country. The owners let tennants trash the grounds, carry one
as they please and even disrespect their own manager. I have never seen such
apathy by property owners, I can only assume it is because of the housing crunch
that they feel invincible. It is quite troubling to think of how wide-spread
this problem has become. Another great example of deregulation.
renting good | 1:43 p.m. April 14, 2009
you will pay 800 a month + utilities for a fairly new 2 bedroom apartment in
Utah Valley. Most mortgage payments for 350K+ homes are more than double that.
Renting isn't a bad option right now unless you are willing to purchase a
home way out in the sticks in Nephi or Eagle Mountain which most families are
reluctant to do (for good reason).
Comments continue below
Let them rent houses | 1:44 p.m. April 14, 2009
There are unprecedented numbers of vacant unsold and foreclosed homes. If I were
a banker I would much rather put renters in those houses and collect rent rather
than let them sit vacant, unmaintained and vulnerable to theft and vandalism.
Surely large numbers of homes for rent would reduce the demand for and rental rates of apartments.
Surely large numbers of homes for rent would reduce the demand for and rental rates of apartments.
Tired of the Wages in Utah | 1:47 p.m. April 14, 2009
I have been struggling to stay in my aparment for the last 5 years I've
been there for the last 10 years, 10% increase every 12 months and on top of
that you now pay sewer, water, garbage, which is billed by a company that
charges you $4.05 to bill you. Way back we got cable for free as well as the
above. Now it seems we have a new owner every year I know of 5 different owners
over my 10 years in this development. I should own my apartment by now. When I
first moved here I had a great job that paid what my skills were worth, got laid
off after 9/11 in 2003 took 2 years to find a $13 an hour job. For the last 6
years how pitifulthe wages in Utah. I cannot afford to move back to the State
of my birth where my family is.
Landlord | 4:43 p.m. April 14, 2009
I own a 4-plex in Utah County and charge $675 for a remodeled 2 bedroom
apartment. The price of purchasing this property forces me to charge this rent
to cover my mortgage. It will be 3 years before I recoup my remodelling costs,
with no vacancies. I do not feel that rent is excessive, but is what I need to
cover the mortgage. As rents increase over the years, maybe I can actually make
a profit on my investment. That's the way the market works.
Vernal rentals... | 5:20 p.m. April 14, 2009
...are very high. I see many 2 and 3 bedroom homes, apartments, and townhomes
that rent for anywhere from $1000 to $2300 per month. There are a few under
$1000, but many of them are in great need of repairs. My son and his wife live
in such a place, but are moving to Salt Lake because he can't find work
here. Rent in Salt Lake is a little lower, and easier to get into (don't
require an application fee, first and last months' rent plus a $500
deposit, for example, like many places here). The prices are economy driven,
especially the new homes. But raising the rates on old, existing, rundown
apartments is really a rip off. Maintenance is poor, if done at all. Recently
our son's water was off for 2 weeks due to a leak above the water heater.
They stayed with us. But they still had to pay rent. That's not right.
Even spare rooms in people's homes are renting for $500 a month. It's
pretty crazy!
Government Caused | 5:33 p.m. April 14, 2009
The rental market is traditionally 1% of the cost of the home per month. If
cities would change zoning to allow for less expensive/smaller housing,
including trailers, this wouldn't be a problem.
Trailers would prevent much homelessness, and make "tent cities" much less likely.
Trailers would prevent much homelessness, and make "tent cities" much less likely.
Fredd | 7:52 p.m. April 14, 2009
Anyone who thinks minimum wage is what you pay an employee, other then a
teenager or someone you just want to sit somewhere and do nothing is an ogre.
RE: Fredd | 8:11 p.m. April 14, 2009
How out of touch you are. Anyone can get paid that, especially now that just
having a job, let alone the one you are skilled for, is a blessing. Plenty of
middle aged men trying to support their families, working for minimum wage or
not much higher right now. Certainly no $14/hr. How nice it would be, to be
that ignorant.
Move to Logan | 8:14 p.m. April 14, 2009
Rents are way cheaper than that in Logan.. I have a mice three bedroom duplex
that rents for $575. or you could just buy, my mortgage payment on my 4 bedroom
house is just $602. Its amazing what happens when you put money down...
John Smith | 8:21 p.m. April 14, 2009
I am currently renting a 2 bedroom apt up by
the UofU for less than $600/mo. I guess this
article is assuming that everyone gets to live
in the high-price communities in Draper.
Remember that rents always are delayed in their
response to economic conditions. So in
18months - 2 years, the rents will decrease to
follow the housing bubble bursting. The
biggest problem we have had is not the rent, but
that darn Natural Gas being WAY TOO EXPENSIVE per
therm. We are paying about 3 times what we
historically have paid for Natural Gas. I have
heard that legislators are going to force the Q
to lower their therm rate to 2 times what we
should be paying.
(I have never understood why the 18mo rent
delay happens, but in my 18 years of renting, it
always happens that way. Maybe some smart
professor up at the U can explain it sometime.)
the UofU for less than $600/mo. I guess this
article is assuming that everyone gets to live
in the high-price communities in Draper.
Remember that rents always are delayed in their
response to economic conditions. So in
18months - 2 years, the rents will decrease to
follow the housing bubble bursting. The
biggest problem we have had is not the rent, but
that darn Natural Gas being WAY TOO EXPENSIVE per
therm. We are paying about 3 times what we
historically have paid for Natural Gas. I have
heard that legislators are going to force the Q
to lower their therm rate to 2 times what we
should be paying.
(I have never understood why the 18mo rent
delay happens, but in my 18 years of renting, it
always happens that way. Maybe some smart
professor up at the U can explain it sometime.)
Let them move on | 8:22 p.m. April 14, 2009
Can not afford to rent in Utah, then move on. The landlords need to get enough
to cover their mortgage payments and taxes. I grew up in a family that rented
some houses, and its not worth the headache so sold out. Still cant afford it
then move somewhere you can afford. There are 50 states to choose from. I get
tired of people complaining about high prices. Do they ever do the math involved
in paying a mortgage on a 350 or 400 thousand dollar piece of property, let
alone trying to make some money on the investment. Do some math first before
mouthing off. Again cant afford it -- MOVE
Try it | 8:53 p.m. April 14, 2009
I would like to see those mouthing off about how people should move... or it is
just business... try living like those people who are struggling are living. Try
being a single mother with four kids, or a forty year old male trying to beat
out a twenty year old for a job. Times are hard. Try having a heart and try to
treat other human beings like you would want to be treated in the same
situation.
It costs money to move | 10:59 p.m. April 14, 2009
Moving is expensive, and if you have a family, then it's even more
difficult to just pull up roots and relocate. Our son lost his job in January,
and has been unable to find work. So he left his wife and 2 kids with us, went
to another city to stay with his brother and look for work. That was 6 weeks
ago. It's going to be another 2-3 weeks before she can get moved there,
and he won't be able to come and help her. He's got a $10 an hour
job, working all the extra hours he can, and glad for that. My husband and I
have had to do this twice. He left to find work, the kids and I stayed and got
ready to move, and when he found work and a place to stay we moved. Both times
it took 6 months, and it was really a struggle for us. We aren't alone. I
see people every day who are out of work, just trying to do anything they can
find to make ends meet, many losing their homes. It's difficult.
one month behind | 6:38 a.m. April 16, 2009
And the federal government wants to sell us a new car from Detroit.
LOL
LOL
Simple Man | 6:44 a.m. April 16, 2009
With real estate being overpriced, it is easy to see how rentals follow suit.
Our national leaders, who promise the world using our (and our children's)
money, are sustaining artificially high housing prices. Until the housing
bubble is allowed to burst, neither home ownership nor rentals will reflect the
realities of the economy.
Yes, this means that there will be some home and rental property owners who are going to take a loss. Why does the government (and a good share of others) think that it's okay for people to lose 40% of their 401k, yet refuse to allow overpriced homes to correct to reality?
Stop bailing out the housing industry!!! In the long run, this is the only sustainable solution.
Yes, this means that there will be some home and rental property owners who are going to take a loss. Why does the government (and a good share of others) think that it's okay for people to lose 40% of their 401k, yet refuse to allow overpriced homes to correct to reality?
Stop bailing out the housing industry!!! In the long run, this is the only sustainable solution.
Clare | 7:14 a.m. April 16, 2009
It is obvious that the rent being charged is too high. A good idea, if possible,
is to get an education. You have a much better chance of getting and sustaining
a job and a higher standard of living. I know that not everyone can do this, but
there are many programs out there right now, because of the recession, to help
people go to school and get an education so they can make a decent wage. If you
can, go back to school! If not, I hope things get better for you. Many of you
are paying more for your rent than I do for my house payment.
Agree 100% | 7:20 a.m. April 16, 2009
Great points, Simple Man.
i know a slum lord | 7:40 a.m. April 16, 2009
on 2500so. and 700east who packs in the illegals...sometimes 15-20 per
unit...cars pack the parking lot , charges by the head , he booted the legals
out as he had planned this from the start ..he should be taxed for the revenue
he is hiding in south slc...get rid of the illegals and there would be bountiful
room for the rest of us!
Landlord who rents | 8:38 a.m. April 16, 2009
I work in my family's rental business and I still rent so I feel that I
have some perspective of both sides of the issue. By FHA lending standards I do
not make enough to be able to afford the place that I rent, and I rent at a
substantial discount. However I also know of the costs that it takes to purchase
and rehab property so that it can be rented at a reasonable price. If rents were
to substantially decrease this will eliminate the incentive for people like me
want to provide rental housing. I deserve to be able to make a living as well.
For those of you who complain about slum lords I would ask, What have you done
to solve the problem? Have you taken an active role in your community? Do you
take responsibility for where you live or do you consider it someone else's
problem?
Lets them move on? You should! | 8:53 a.m. April 16, 2009
This is in response to the "let them move on" comment. Well I think
you missed the point. The problem is the houses are not worth the 350 to 400
that the mortgage is paid for. So maybe you cant rent those houses for what you
need to cover you investment, because it was a BAD investment and the house is
worth 2/3 what you paid for it! Now its time for you to do the math.
Alex | 9:00 a.m. April 16, 2009
What I dont understand is that renting is a business not just an investment.
Managing property is very risky and time consuming. If you own property and try
to rent it, be careful there might be work involved. The owner of the place I
rent does ZERO up keep, and literally refuses to invest any money back into the
apartments, as he is losing money then. I think a lot of these land lords are
just poor business people, like the owner of my building. These land lords get
into renting to try and make money without work, and then it turns out to be
work, and they dont like it. So these business people who purchased over priced
house and are trying to rent them over priced, I say, let them move on, they are
the ones who made BAD finical decisions not the renters. Now will these business
people who made these BAD finical decisions be held responsible? Why would we do
that? Why not have the government can in and bail them out like all those other
companies that BAD finical decisions.
Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. John Stewart
Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. John Stewart
Look at the Math | 9:31 a.m. April 16, 2009
You have a Republican Government in Utah !!!!
You like Republicans that will not raise Minimum wages !!!!
The Republican Government says we have people looking for work and will be glad to get minimum wages,
Bring your Compoany to Utah.
When I talk about America, All I hear is
Well this is Utah.
Sounds more like this is Cuba !!!!
Everyone wants restrictions, You have it already
Well, This is America
Land of the free being restricted.
A Law for everything that works against the people.
Utah Citizens have lost the rights guarenteed by the U.S. Constitution
Civil Rights
Let't talk about Civil Liberties
The Cops are a Gestapo, Just like in Germany when they carted the Jews off to the Gas Chambers.
The restrictions need to be on the Government.
We have 27 Ammendments to the Constitution being denied by the Utah Government
Piiracy of the Citizens rights is what you call it.
It is to late to get an education if you are out of work, and the cost of school just went up another
10 %
Time to vote for those with a D in front of their names, Democrat.
You like Republicans that will not raise Minimum wages !!!!
The Republican Government says we have people looking for work and will be glad to get minimum wages,
Bring your Compoany to Utah.
When I talk about America, All I hear is
Well this is Utah.
Sounds more like this is Cuba !!!!
Everyone wants restrictions, You have it already
Well, This is America
Land of the free being restricted.
A Law for everything that works against the people.
Utah Citizens have lost the rights guarenteed by the U.S. Constitution
Civil Rights
Let't talk about Civil Liberties
The Cops are a Gestapo, Just like in Germany when they carted the Jews off to the Gas Chambers.
The restrictions need to be on the Government.
We have 27 Ammendments to the Constitution being denied by the Utah Government
Piiracy of the Citizens rights is what you call it.
It is to late to get an education if you are out of work, and the cost of school just went up another
10 %
Time to vote for those with a D in front of their names, Democrat.
To: Let them move on | 9:47 a.m. April 16, 2009
Don't tell me about 350k over-inflated homes when my landlord charges
725.00 for a place that he pays 323.00 for and never makes repairs etc... His
response to any requests for repairs is that he doesn't make any money
making repairs! All the rest of the rentals in the condo assoc rent for 620.00
or less and mine is the worst as far as livability. I've been watching rent
prices in the paper.. there is a house that started @ 2500.00 been in the paper
for 5 mths that has dropped down to 1900.00 still no takers. Owners sre
outpricing their units we all don't make Park City money nor have 2
incomes. I work hard and pay my rent but owners need to do their part too. Utah
has always had rents higher than people make
Never a Landlord Again | 10:01 a.m. April 16, 2009
I was a landlord for many years. I finally gave up because I was disenchanted
with tenants. After each 1 year lease, every tenant I had, even though I had a
strict screening process, completely trashed the place.
I cleaned everything, had carpets cleaned or replaced, painted the whole house, had to have landscapers come and redo the yard, etc. every time I changed tenants.
I lived there for 5 years and didn't put as much wear and tear as each of my many tenants did in only 1 year. I think I was a good landlord and maybe there are good renter out there but I never found 1.
I cleaned everything, had carpets cleaned or replaced, painted the whole house, had to have landscapers come and redo the yard, etc. every time I changed tenants.
I lived there for 5 years and didn't put as much wear and tear as each of my many tenants did in only 1 year. I think I was a good landlord and maybe there are good renter out there but I never found 1.
Never a Landlord Again | 10:08 a.m. April 16, 2009
My point is, maybe rents could remain more reasonable if tenants would help out
by not having the attitude that since it is someone else's property,
it's not my problem attitude.
You don't need to punch a hole in the wall everytime you get angry and you could maybe let the "not-allowed" pets you are hiding, out to go to the bathroom. Is it really necessary to break half the windows? And maybe you could turn on the automated sprinklers when the temperatures start reaching 102 degrees...
I would have been happy with these. I gave up hoping you might run a vacuum cleaner over the carpet once in the year you lived there.
You don't need to punch a hole in the wall everytime you get angry and you could maybe let the "not-allowed" pets you are hiding, out to go to the bathroom. Is it really necessary to break half the windows? And maybe you could turn on the automated sprinklers when the temperatures start reaching 102 degrees...
I would have been happy with these. I gave up hoping you might run a vacuum cleaner over the carpet once in the year you lived there.
RedShirt | 12:04 p.m. April 16, 2009
So, they artcle said "a family in Utah must earn $29,459 a year or $14.16
per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom, $736-a-month rental. That's 216
percent of the $6.55 minimum that average low-income earners make in the
state." What can be read into that is that if you are single, you cannot
afford a 2 bedroom appartment unless you earn $14.16/hr. Or, if you are married
(read have a family) your COMBINED income would have to equal that amount. Now
I may not be a super smart journalist, but I think that most married couples can
figure out some way of earning enough to pay the rent. If they can't
figure that out, they need more help than just paying thier rent.
wallofvoodoo | 12:34 p.m. April 16, 2009
Yes RedShirt, because we don't believe in this state that stay at home moms
are valuable at all.
the slum is the slime | 3:22 p.m. April 16, 2009
yeah yeah yeah...the slumlords are being arrested right as we speak , what was
really happening was prostitution since it was a convenient through fare...so
there goes the neighbor hood and i feel good!!
roger | 5:27 p.m. April 16, 2009
good thing the minimum wage is increasing this summer, for them.
still looking | 10:22 p.m. April 16, 2009
Minimum wage earners aren't the only ones having trouble finding affordable
rental housing in the Salt Lake Valley. The place I'm in is going up for
sale, so I will have to move. I am a teacher with a master's degree, and am
having an awful time finding an affordable place to rent in a safe area. Buying
is out of the question since I'm facing a salary cut this year. Moving is
not an option, because teachers are locked into staying in the same school
district or facing yet another pay cut. I'm fortunate to have a job, but
the housing situation is a huge problem. There is affordable housing in Ogden,
but the one-hour commute would be a bear.
E. Smith | 12:39 p.m. April 19, 2009
You can all thank the Obama administration and the Utah Republicans for the
$8,000 and $6,000 credits that are helping to keep home prices high and demand
for rent high along with it. Maybe if we let home prices fall in line with
wages people would be better off.
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
Related content
- Obama, Soviet's Afghan endgame 1:04 a.m.
- Victims of Bhopal demand cleanup 12:55 a.m.
- Pakistanis kill 15 militants 12:47 a.m.
- SLCC campus briefs 12:24 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 12:22 a.m.
- SUU campus briefs 12:20 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:12 a.m.
- Editorial: Buy local this Christmas 12:11 a.m.
- Conflicting advice for wise shopping 12:11 a.m.
- Half-baked nonstrategy will not work 12:11 a.m.
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
- Mitchell said to share LeBaron traits
- BCS just keeps dirty laundry on spin
- Teen girl killed in Kaysville crash
- Utahns growing tired of Bennett
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Orem pair getting a rep for crime
- MWC awaits bowl destinations
- Simple candies for the holidays
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
914 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime483
- Hall reprimanded by MWC405
- Max Hall issues apology392
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal358
- Utes won't respond to Hall278
- BYU says Hall incident resolved244
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?237
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game184
- Religion in politics is tiresome154
If you want to learn what it's like to be an astronaut on the...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
As the TV cameras Tuesday night scanned the West Point audience during...
Latest comments
What a fun game to watch!! I love seeing the Aggs step up huge on defense. I...
Take of your Rose-colored glasses and watch the game again. Y'all got beat...
Hey guys... what does BYU and Swag have in common??......... They both get...
Way to go AGGIES!! Can't wait till UNLV comes into Provo and punks them again.
From an example of a law abiding citizen, Rodney King ..."U of U and BYU...
First, you must bleed that parched, ugly, awful royal blue, because that's...
I did not know anyone in the accident, I am not from this area; but the...
Yum...I want some now.
don't get me wrong, i have tons of respect for coach sloan and what he's done...
If we could only figure out a use ( like the presto-logs from sawdust ) for...
Advertisements