Radio Show in the Works

John Romanin and I met today with KFNX radio in Phoenix.  The radio station thinks a renters radio show would be a great idea.  We agree.  As a result, it looks like "RenterNation", the Official Radio Voice of the American Tenants Association, is tentatively scheduled to debut on Saturday, November 20 at 11AM to noon Arizona time.

We intend to discuss matters of importance to residential tenants as well as take your phone calls about your concerns.  We will keep you posted when things are finalized.

ATENA's 2011 Legislative Agenda

Please make sure you check out our 2011 Legislative Agenda.  It's just been updated on our website.

Since this is a dynamic document, please contact us if you have suggestions for additions to our Agenda.

Thanks.

Let's Get On With Foreclosures

Remember the Academy Award winning movie “Network”? In it, the fictional TV host Howard Beale became a ratings sensation by nightly exclaiming that he was “mad as hell and not going to take this anymore”.

Well here’s one renter who’s “mad as hell and not going to take this anymore.”

While millions of “homeowners” continue to abuse and destabilize the nation’s banking system by not making their monthly mortgage payments, renters like you and me stay current on our rent payments.

While millions of homeowners skate for months and even years without making mortgage payments and continue to live in their homes, try not paying your rent for even one month. You’d be thrown out on your ear in no time flat.

While homeowners claim to be victims of the banking system because the banks didn’t properly sign or can’t locate certain documents the basic facts remain. The banks lent them the money to buy their homes, the banks took a security interest in the property, the homeowner failed to fulfill their part of the bargain by making their monthly payments. Therefore, the banks are legally entitled to foreclose on the property and liquidate it to try to recover their investment.

Just as a renter faces eviction by not paying their rent, homeowners should face timely foreclosure for not making their mortgage payments. It’s a basic issue of fairness.

While I can feel sympathy for homeowners victimized by the current economic recession you have to remember that renters are feeling the same pinch. We’re all in the same boat.

Continuing to delay the foreclosure process by instituting foreclosure moratoriums helps no one. Let’s get these properties back on the market so credit worthy homeowners and, yes, renters can take advantage of lower home values.

Enough is enough. It’s time to end delinquent homeowners’ free rides.

"Tenant Traps"

Here's some words of rental wisdom from Janet Portman and Marcia Stewart, the authors of "Renter's Rights: The Basics."

Never agree to put up with a rental unit that lacks basic health and safety features such as heat, plumbing, hot water and weatherproofing.

Never push for repairs before figuring out whether it's a habitability problem or a minor repair.

Never delay in reporting major repair problems.

Never use a "big stick" (such as withholding rent) to prod a landlord into action without first telling them of the problem and giving them a reasonable time to fix it.

Never use a big stick if you are behind in the rent, have an unauthorized roommate, or are violating some other important tenant obligation.

Never make a big deal over a minor repair unless you are prepared for an uphill fight with your landlord.

You have a right to livable housing.  It's called the landlord's "implied warranty of habiltability".  This means your landlord has promised you a livable place simply by renting it to you.