I get it. You bought or own a rental house, trailer or apartment, and you’re thinking you’re going to make a fortune.
That’s what appears to be happening if you are someone trying to find a place to rent in Durango. It’s absolutely insane. Greed at its ugliest!
If someone can afford $2,500 per month for rent, why not just buy a home? I realize some need temporary housing or have no down payment to buy, but for these property owners to downright gouge someone looking for a rental home ... it ought to be illegal.
An example: “Studio apt. downtown – $1100/month.” (This place is tiny, dirty, old and run down; two years ago the rent was $650 per month).
Another: “1971 single-wide trailer on CR 203. 2 br/1 ba. $1150 per month, $1200 security dep.” (This trailer is 46 years old, dirty, infested with mice and black mold; basically uninhabitable. You couldn’t pay me to live there).
These are just two examples of greed, and why would anyone rent from people like this?
Gouging rental rates produce high tenant turnwover. It makes more sense to charge reasonable rent so a tenant will stay. Some landlords keep the security deposit and think that tenants won’t file lawsuits to get the deposit back. Not only is this illegal, immoral and just low down, landlords can be ordered to pay treble damages, which is three times the amount of the security deposit.
If your rental isn’t renting, and I see many being advertised for well over a month, try being reasonable and lower the rate.
Thoma Massucci
Durango
