The Cedar Rapids City Council deserves our support for introducing an ordinance that will crack down on problem landlords and tenants. This has been a problem for years and I think most people would be shocked at the poor condition and safety violations in some of the rental properties in this community.

I applaud the city for following the Davenport permitting model that has been recognized as a balanced approach and widely supported by the city, landlords and the community as a whole.

Reputable landlords will continue to do what they have for years with little change in the way they manage. Problem landlords will either follow what is generally considered acceptable practices or they will lose the ability to be a landlord. Landlords who have chronic problems with tenants or allow units to become safety hazards destroy the value of surrounding real estate, and a downward cycle for a neighborhood begins.

Once values begin dropping, this momentum is tough to stop, and I believe a landlord permitting ordinance will help prevent the downward spiral. This ordinance would be a great step in preserving our neighborhoods.

Kyle Skogman

Cedar Rapids