Have Computers Eliminated Compassion From the Rental Industry?

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I love technology. I'm a web developer, early adopter, tech enthusiast. Robots, computers and high tech devices are all super shiny symbols of modern life, and I for one welcome our new robotic overlords. It feels very strange to be writing this article. However, some recent research has shown me that technology in the rental industry isn't just used for sharing photos and paying rent online anymore. Computers and software programs for landlords are meant to minimize liability and maximize income. Unfortunately they're being used as a new face on old discriminatory practices and are huge contributing factors in recent skyrocketing rent rates.

The biggest landlords in the US are all publicly-traded corporations. They've got to keep their shareholders happy by maximizing rental income. Their sheer size draws the attention of fair housing watchdogs. They want to cut their human labor overhead by eliminating trained agents. From a corporate perspective it's quite obvious why these enormous investment corporations choose to automate as much of the job as possible. Computers are a very appealing scapegoat. They are, on the surface, completely objective. It's easy to support sensitive decisions by blaming a computer, forgetting that computers are all programmed by humans and therefore susceptible to human failings.

4 examples of harmful apartment technology right this way!

Published by

Kay Cleaves

10 Reasons Why Climate Change Skeptics Should Still Choose “Green” Apartments

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There's no denying that "green" construction and housing practices have popped up everywhere. In fact, Illinois has long led the country in eco-friendly housing, with the most LEED-certified square footage per resident. Even small private landlords are taking steps to retrofit their properties for the sake of the environment.

It's our opinion that "green" construction should be a top selling point to all renters, even if they think that climate change is a load of malarkey. Modern environmentally-forward housing doesn't have to mean stinky compost heaps and weird fluctuating solar power. Much of it is actually less expensive and more convenient for renters. If it makes it easier for you to stomach, think of "eco-friendly" as a codeword for "better housing." Here's why.

Published by

Kay Cleaves

Questions to ask your next Landlord about Maintenance and Hiring

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Pro Tip, renters: every sentence that comes out of your mouth in a showing should end with a question mark! Agents and landlords know what aspects of their business are profitable but unpopular. They won't volunteer such information without you asking.

With the goal of helping renters know what to ask, back in December I posted a collection of questions that renters could use during showings. That article focused on the subject of applications and fees. Today I'm back with more questions, this time designed to help you find out about the landlord's maintenance and hiring policies.

One of the biggest causes of friction between landlords and tenants is the quality of maintenance. In my years working in property management, the tenants who had the biggest problems with our maintenance and customer service were the ones who spent their apartment showings just looking at the apartment itself without asking any questions about our business practices.

About Hiring

  • What sort of background checks do you run on their staff before hiring?

Read on for more questions!

Published by

Kay Cleaves

10 Weird Things Landlords Demand From Their Tenants (and why they want them)

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Google auto-complete has once again helped me to create a great blog article! This time I entered the phrase "Why does my landlord need..." and let it suggest things that have made tenants curious or suspicious. Nearly everything on the list has a reasonable explanation, so today I'm here to clear up some of the confusion.

1. A key to your apartment

While it may not seem like it, your landlord does want to make sure that both you and the apartment remain intact while you're living there. Although some landlords break the law by coming and going from your apartment at will, in most cases the key is to be used in only a few cases:

  • to make repairs that you've requested without you having to sit around and wait
  • to make emergency repairs that may affect other renters or the whole building (i.e., gas leaks, water leaks, etc.)
  • to check on your well-being if your loved ones raise reasonable levels of concern
  • to show your apartment to new prospective tenants, after notifying you first

If they use your key for any other reason, you should probably be on the phone to your attorney or local legal aid provider.

2. To do an inspection

If you're a voucher holder then you know that the city must inspect your apartment before you move in and every time your lease expires. For the rest of you, it may be somewhat new and jarring to have a landlord that wants to make regular inspections. Not all of them call it an inspection - some of them will instead come in to change the furnace filters on a regular basis, but it's still a scheduled walk-through of your apartment. Continue reading 10 Weird Things Landlords Demand From Their Tenants (and why they want them)

Published by

Kay Cleaves

The 2016 Chicago Urban Derby

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This weekend brings the return of the annual Kentucky Derby in Louisville, KY. RentConfident isn't serving Louisville (yet!) but we like to join in on the excitement and are sure some of you do as well. Here in the city were aren't known for our horses, but we do have some other unique modes of transportation. So in honor of the big race, here's what we think would make a great starting lineup for the first annual Chicago Urban Derby.

busStop Requested (Odds: 10:1)
Jockey: Toni, CTA Bus Driver
Trainer: Chicago Transit Authority
Colors: Navy blue, dark gray, navy blue cap
Earnings: $30 an hour.

Outlook: Amazingly agile at sneaking around other competitors and maintaining a constantly fast pace despite its imposing size and need to stop every quarter mile. Should be able to finish without any challenges unless the race begins at rush hour.

Continue reading The 2016 Chicago Urban Derby

Published by

Kay Cleaves

Jon Hoferle