Myself and several other CC members were discussion in another thread about the 4% rental income tax increase, plus the other associated cost increases that property owners will incur as a result of passage of the HCR law.
I as well as several others sent out letters to our tenants on Tuesday......I levied a 10% increase in everyone's rent, effective May 1, citing the additional taxes and expenses that I will incur as a result of this law, I specifically stated that this unfortunate increase was unexpected, as the newly elected Democrats in Washington all promised that there would be no increased taxes on middle-class Americans. I closed with the suggestion that they consider these facts when they go to the polls in November.
Although my rental property is in a largely conservative area, my tenants are mostly young single mothers, or recent divorcees......pretty much typical Obama voters........
Well.......I received my first phone call this morning.......from a 28 year old barista from the local Starbucks, and she proceeded to tearfully tell me how unfair it was that I was increasing the rent, and that I insulted her politics, and the new president. She further advised me that the money that her rent increase of $800 over the next twelve months was going to pay for her new health care insurance policy, which was not available at Starbucks. She further iterated that I was taking food out of the mouth of her 18 month old (illegitimate) daughter, and she wanted to move immediately. However, she added that she didn't want to loose her two-month security deposit, and unfortunately when she called around to other rental agencies, everyone else was increasing their rents as well.
I advised her that I would be happy to release her from her lease, but she would forfeit her deposit, as stated in the terms and conditions of our contract. This resulted in more tears, and her comments that her Starbuck's manager had advised all employees that as a result of the HCR law, Starbuck's would be reevaluating their staff requirements, and that adjustments in compensation, benefits, and headcount would likely occur over the next few months. She summarized that she might lose her job as a result of this.......
I was doing my very best not to break out laughing, but maintaining a serious note, she closed her plea with "is there anything that you can do for me"........after a pause, I replied......."yes, I can give you some advice......be very careful what you ask the government for........you just might get it........"
doc
PS: Oh.....and on the way to the bank with my ill-gotten gains, a cop jumped out of the bushes, and converted me to voting Democrat in the November elections........
