Letters: Columbia should hold landlords responsible for tenants’ behavior

Thank you to reporters Avery Wilks and Sarah Ellis for writing a dynamic article, “Do rentals tear at community fabric?” (Sept. 27). The photos and video were excellent as well.

A special thank you to Kit Smith for her continued tireless work to improve the city, the neighborhoods and the county in which we live.

As a longtime resident of Wales Garden, I have watched the slow change from owner-occupied to tenant-occupied homes on our street. I hope the article’s laser focus on what is happening in our downtown neighborhoods will galvanize the members of Columbia City Council to vote for the proposal that would make it easier to hold landlords responsible for how their property is maintained and how tenants behave.

It is not too late to do something for the good of all downtown residents. It is time for action to be taken to protect the character of our precious neighborhoods.

This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 10:23 AM.