I suppose because it’s the government acting in a cruel and authoritarian manner to a minority of well off homeowners that they feel justified imposing this financially devastating decision overnight.

@John Thedford Appreciate the unuseful, unnecessary sarcasm, have a great day!

The act of renting to someone with that scarlet letter imposes risk and sometimes high costs on the building owner.

Imposible to inforce.

Replacing the whole system for 60K is just unnecessary silly-season talk.

It even seeks to curtail some of the restraints imposed (Dodd / Frank, etc.). 

Its like property prices in Vancouver and Toronto, which started to get crazy high that the government there specifically imposed a 15% tax on any transaction by foreigners to control prices.

You now have to take the first tenant that knocks on the door or be sued by the city, they have imposed a "rich man's tax on people who are successful", if you solicit someone who is in foreclosure or *thinks* they may end up in foreclosure it is a "criminal act" and you could find yourself in court, they have reduced the number of automobile lanes to accommodate having more bicycle lanes (Seattle is *hills*, do you know how long it takes a bicycle to climb 1st hill in the rain in friday night traffic?

I also know (not think, KNOW - I've seen it) that we are killing our own planet due to unnecessary consumption and greed, and need to knock that $hit off.  

I'm personally making an attempt to cut out some of the smaller "unnecessary" expenses in my life.