IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES?

LANDLORDS & TENANTS IN NEW MEXICO

Things are so tense in the housing crisis right now, a judge would grant a divorce based on the seemingly insurmountable and irreconcilable differences in landlord and tenant relationships in New Mexico. Why? Because, on the one hand, landlords (realtors and brokers included) believe that any new housing regulations are akin to government seizure or taking their property for public use. On the other hand, renters believe that landlords are engaging in unprincipled price gouging, having raised rental rates over 30% in two years. Now, a 2 bedroom apartment in Albuquerque can cost about $1,700 per month.

I have some ideas and I bet you do as well. Share your ideas with NMBLC and the Powers That Be. I encourage each of you to read, review, and comment on these bills for yourself. If either concession or reconciliation is to be, it’s up to you and me.

Cathryn McGill, Founder/Director

Various housing-related bills have met with staunch resistance from the Apartment Association and their allies. Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn’s bills, 0-22-59 and 0-22-60, are slogging through the Council agenda. Advocates are hoping that the third time’s a charm for State bills HB 6 and SB 411. (Please see page 3’s “Roundhouse Roundup” for more on these bills.) The Governor is promoting a bill, SB 414, to create a State of New Mexico Housing Authority, but opponents believe the new agency will duplicate the work of the Mortgage Finance Authority. The truth is, our futures are inextricably bound and we must start devising innovative solutions to this escalating housing crisis.