Deseret News | Reader comments: State sides with landlord in property-rights conflict over Provo home

Reader comments
State sides with landlord in property-rights conflict over Provo home

Justice! | 11:53 p.m. May 23, 2009

Provo always have made their own rules and now have to listened to State Law! I now hope Provo changes the way they work with the property owners.

watcher | 9:55 a.m. May 24, 2009

Most cities have 40% renters and 60% owners. Provo is upside down with more renters than owners.

Provo schools struggle significantly to maintain consistent educational experience for kids who move in and out constantly during the school year.

Statistics show that stable neighborhoods with long term resident creates a safer, lower crime environment.

If a person owns property in an area that is zoned at a certain density, they have a right to expect the government to protect their property rights and maintain that level of density. Neighbors should not have to put up with multiple renters in a single family home in a single family zone.

Provo is right to protect property owners by enforcing the zoning laws. As the old adage goes, let the buyer beware. Before anyone purchases a property in any city, they have a duty to investigate what the law allows, and to live by that law.

angry | 12:49 p.m. May 24, 2009

Where does Provo get off in their power trip?? Provo used to be a really nice place to live but the government, including police and zoning, has taken the attitude that they can control everything the citizens do and force their policies without concern for anyone but themselves. Their power is corrupting them and the city that they should serve. Are they practicing unrighteous dominion? Leave the citizens alone, Provo, unless enough other citizens complain to make it a real problem. I have lived here almost 40 years and we do not need your overbearing and controlling tactics to live in peace with each other.

Comments continue below

Why | 1:32 p.m. May 24, 2009

Why is this a story worth printing? There are always going to be people who think they are above the law. They don't live there, so they don't care what it is like in that area. "Give Me The Money" is their only concern while others lives are endangered through, careless, thoughtless renters and landlords. The only choice one has is to call the police every time something illegal in done at that house. The police will get tired of that real quick and hopefully, you can have your neighborhood back. People are too selfish and self centered to have an arrangement like that work out. Good luck in stopping that landlord!

WHAT! | 3:01 p.m. May 24, 2009

Looks like Provo is "Flying" in the face of Utah state law and have been "BREAKING THE LAW!". I hope Provo gets their butt handed back to them in spades and changes the way they handle rentals.

Provo Resident

Thinking of others | 7:00 p.m. May 24, 2009

Looks like "Watcher" has the income to buy a house and pay his Mortgage.

Most of Provo does not and that is why affordable housing is needed for many including Provo's minority citizens.

Unless you think Provo is a one race town?

For the other half of Provo...

Parece " Watcher" tiene la renta para comprar una casa y para pagar su hipoteca. La mayor parte de Provo no hace y se es porqu la cubierta comprable es necesaria para muchos incluyendo Provo' ciudadanos de la minora de s. A menos que usted piense Provo es una ciudad de una raza?

John | 7:03 p.m. May 24, 2009

Provo city is a college town- this means it will always have a large number of renters. The area that this home is located has no other single family homes. I am a landlord myself and am very familiar with the area, it is mostly duplexes, triplexes condominiums motels and businesses. I believe no family would want to purchase this home and live in this community. The only people you will get to live in this neighborhood would be college students and young couples. Being a landlord I have familiarized myself with many other landlords in Provo and have to say that not every landlord is a greedy "slumlord owning "individual. there are plenty of landlords that care about Provo and see to cleaning up the homes and the communities and making it a nice place to live.

FreedomLvr | 8:27 p.m. May 24, 2009

Most "landlords" are average people who are trying to eek out some sort of long-term security. I am on the side of Mr. Davidson, it sounds like he is doing all the right things. More power to him.

Anonymous | 8:41 p.m. May 24, 2009

Get over it. My gosh - there are many laws and rules in this state that when they are broken it's overlooked.

The landlords looking to make a little extra money aren't hurting anyone.

Start enforcing other laws that are dangerous to other people's health for example - like enforcing the no smoking law pertaining to UTA bus stops.

Here it goes | 9:46 p.m. May 24, 2009

Yet another sign that Provo City doesn't care about the rights of its citizens. Looks like its time for a change in the city council. When are the next elections again?

Again | 10:41 a.m. May 25, 2009

Provo city is wasting their time and our tax dollars! Mr Davidson is completely within bounds. Bad call Provo!

In the area | 9:05 p.m. May 25, 2009

Watcher: I live in the 60 unit apartment complex they built across the street from this property and can see the other two triplexes and two other duplexes on the same street. so your saying the area is single family? You must be joking!

Good Idea | 7:21 a.m. May 26, 2009

Thank heavens the State has an office that will help property owners from being railroaded by cities.

The U.S. Constitution | 3:55 p.m. May 26, 2009

the right of possession - the property is owned by whomever holds title;
the right of control - within the laws, the owner controls the use of the property;
the right of exclusion - others can be excluded from using or entering the property;
the right of enjoyment - the owner can enjoy the use of the property in any legal manner; and
the right of disposition - the title holder can sell, rent or transfer ownership or use of the property at will.

Note* Rent

It is a good read I hope Provo City reads it!

Nother landlord | 9:27 p.m. May 26, 2009

We looked into to buying this home about a year ago. The tenants were nice and the home was nice inside all the yard work was maintained well and the house had all the typical charm of an older TWO family home. I can't see why the city would fight this it's pretty obvious that the city is in the wrong on this one and it will cost the tax payers to fight an obvious losing battle.

Provo Home Owner | 9:34 p.m. May 26, 2009

I recently purchased a meth-lab in our Provo community, trying to help clean up the neighborhood.I was told it was a duplex, so we wanted to get it cleaned up and fixed up in order to rent to decent people instead of the tweakers that were there. It took me several weeks to even get provo to let me turn on the power, they said they wouldn't turn it on unless I signed a doc claiming I wouldn't appeal for duplex status. Now they have denied a building permit to bring the electrical up to safety code unless I claim single family status. I guess provo is more concerned with silly policies than getting a known meth house decontaminated and fixed up. Obviously, their main concern is NOT the welfare of the people.

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