Best Practices for Political Activism

[James McGovern]

I have several investors lined up who are willing to invest in a large commercial apartment building but are growing increasingly concerned with the municipality passing tenant friendly laws that make it more difficult to evict. Does it make sense to include clauses that limit a tenants ability to petition government for ideas that harm landlords over time? Is there a way to form a convenant that is written with the government to never pass laws that are hostile to landlords?

[Joshua Christensen]

Quote from @James McGovern:

So what can a landlord do proactively to convince their tenants to not participate in the creation of such laws?

When you work with your tenants, evictions are rare.  Build a system that does a great job on the front end qualifying good tenants and don't make any exceptions for good stories.  Have a written policy.  No prior felony, No drug related charges, No violent crimes, No evictions, 3x rent for income (33% of income for rent is a high number) Credit score thresholds.  Every adult must be on the lease with a background check.  

Be proactive rather than reactive.  You'll reduce the need for this type of reasoning.  Evictions are usually symptoms of poor background checks by the landlord.  Everything in writing to stay within Fair Housing laws and Anti-Discrimination laws.