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LETTER: There are better ways to hold absentee landlords accountable

'This is definitely an assault on good landlords. ... Ironically, one of my rentals is in the area in question. It’s also one of the best-looking houses in the area,' says letter-writer
2021-10-20 Lawnmower
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BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to a story titled 'Enforcement against absentee landlords in east end could have 'significant benefits' published Oct. 18, and a subsequent letter titled 'LETTER: Property manager calls city's proposed licensing rules an 'assault' on small landlords' published Oct. 19.
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My wife and I own some rental properties in the Barrie and Innisfil area.  

This is definitely an assault on good landlords.  

I don’t consider myself an absentee landlord as I personally mow all of the lawns bi-weekly. I also pay for weed control services every year. Last year, I spent $15,000 on exterior improvements at one of my properties.  

Ironically, one of my rentals is in the area in question. It’s also one of the best-looking houses in the area.

All of my rents are well below market rates, too, as I have some longer-term tenants. Some years I don’t even do rent increases as I like my tenants.

However, this cost will have to be passed on to my tenants.

Sean Thompson
Innisfil

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