MASON CITY – A Mason City landlord spoke to the Mason City Council Tuesday night and spoke of a “final draft” for Mason City Human Rights.
Bob Mason owns 12 rental properties. Several of them are multi-family properties. He has a total of 26 rental units registered at City Hall.
Mason thanked Council member Scott Tornquist, Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and City Administrator Brent Trout for meeting with him “a month or so ago” to listen to his concerns about Human Rights in Mason City.
“Councilman Tornquist, Mr. Bookmeyer, Mr. Trout all listened to my concerns a month or so ago when I had issues with Human Rights Commission,” Mason said.
Mason told the Council that “every time that I try to do the right thing, or try to enforce my lease or even city ordinances, I find myself in front of the Human Rights Commission.”
Mason also spoke of a “final draft” for what he seemed to reference as changes that Bookmeyer, Trout and Tornquist had promised to make to Human Rights in Mason City.
“So if something could be in the final draft, if a landlord comes forth ahead of time and makes known what he or she is trying to do without fear of ending up in front of the Human Rights Commission, I think that would be a great thing,” Mason said, “so landlords do not need to be concerned or worried too much about retaliation or being accused of something that he or she is not trying to do.”
httpv://youtu.be/2Sx3D_yEacQ
Does Mr. mason really think the complaints will go away without the HRC?now instead of the local cop it will be the Feds or the state. I think it will do these landlords some good to face the state and the attorney general for prosecution for violating anti discrimination laws.. I think Mr. Foster has done a great job, and he has taught north iowans their rights.
Mr. Foster was a negro in town when a negro was a negro. He’s held his ground well in the land of white trash to be sure.
the mayors appointees will shoot down any complaints before they can go anywhere.
That was a DIRTY TRICK the mayor and gang pulled by abolishing the HUMAN RIGHTS comission in Mason City – what goes around comes around – more 100 bills floating around ?
HRC was not abolished. It’s funding was reduced down to the area that comparable sized cities pay.
You are alleging bribery? Any proof?
I told the mayor that I was supportive of reducing the budget of HRC as it was duplicative.
I am not a landlord. I have managed hundreds of rental units in years past. I would not want to be a property owner in Mason City renting residential units. The average tenant quality is very poor and one runs a high risk of significant unrecoverable property damage at the hands of renters as earlier posters have corroborated.
The fact that tenants would run to the HRC as their first line of defense alleging whatever in order to tie up any action speaks volumes. Filing a complaint with HRC was a freebie available to the tenant and was merely a ruse to forestall eviction by the landlord for whatever infraction of the lease that had occurred.
My opinion about defunding HRC is reinforced by this news from rental property owners.
How do you know it was a “first line of defense”?
You’re obviously biased. Property managers are for anything that gives them more power…wow, now that’s surprise. I guess you’re completely unbiased since you’re not a landlord. lol
And you are not biased?
Slumloards (money)rule your city – have statues of wealth all over . Keep up the fine socilist work .
Watch out for the slum lords now. In the last few years we have more and more rentals here is the North End. There are a few landlords (very few) that take care of their property. Most do not. The lawns don’t get mowed and the sidewalks don’t get shoveled. The people get out of their cars and throw trash on the roads. There are junk cars and trucks parked in the yards. They just do not care. The North End is not alone in this. The center of town is much worse and the southwest is getting bad fast. We need something to make these people take care of their property.
Most cities fight with landlords to maintain their properties and protect renters. It looks like Mason City has thrown down with the land lords.
This is a bunch of crap. This just gives bad landlords to do/say whatever they wish. Its pretty obvious now.
Lets take russ hardy for instance, he gets by with whatever he wants anyway because he knows ‘people’ those are his own words. I have pictures of one of his apartments to prove he gets by with what he wants.
So now the other shoe has dropped. Cutting the HRC budget was never about short fall it was the request of a landlord who has had several complaints filed against him by his tenants. It was clear in the statement made by Mr. Mason for all to see him thanking the mayor and Mr. Tornquist, and Mr. Trout for removing the Law enforcement arm of the HRC so he would not have any more trouble. So now it makes even more sense why the biggest SlumLord in mason city on the HRC board.
Good post and spot on I’m afraid.
The city should be careful. What they’ve done is include themselves in any liability issues that Mr. Mason might ever have with his renter clients. He’s going to go to the city and tell them his motives and wants the city to play a part with him. If the city gets it wrong and helps Mr. Mason discriminate in any way they become liable as well and have deep pockets.
Mr. Mason has been successful in getting the city to help him with his business.
I was a landlord of ONE rental property. When my last renters moved out before I sold the property, I was appalled at the shape it was in. They NEVER let me know about all the damage and the things that needed repair. How can landlords fix things when they aren’t told about them. Once they DID call me because they had moths in the house and wanted me to fumigate the place. I told them to take the moths to County Extension for identification first. Yup. Nut moths. They had a package of old walnuts, but it was my fault.
So what I’m saying is that some people don’t tell you what needs repair and others just like to cause a landlord problems of their own doing. I had holes punched in my walls, doors punched in, kids hanging from towel rods and breaking them off the walls, tub bottoms broken, screen door fabric constantly ripped out, and on and on. And that was just one house and I was so glad when it finally sold. Being a landlord is a thankless job and with some renters, I can see that you may not end up making much money unless you can do all the repairs yourself.
@Katie-I completely agree. I too had a rental that I bought for retirement income. The first three renters I kicked out for non payment. till owed almost $4,000. The last renter I had to evict left with my refrigerator, stove, A.C. and T.V. system. I filed theft charges but they left the state and nothing ever happened to them. Oh ya-they took a skill saw and sawed down a wall to get more air through the place. I sold it before I lost any more money.
As time goes on, we will see the real reasons that HRC was eliminated. This is one example. And I suspect there is much more than meets the eye.
As a cynical person who has seen all sorts of political devices and games, this gives the direct appearance of payback (impropriety) for one’s support at election. In other locals, Federal law enforcement and prosecutors would have a field day for lesser transgressions. (Want case history? I can provide it.)
If one is a landlord, one must not really worry about any claims before an HRC unless there is fault with their own actions. Instead of eliminating the rights of others in furtherance of your own personal desires, perhaps get a lawyer and draft your contracts, leases, and policies to conform to the law, and not the other way around.
If you don’t like the law, get out of the business. And rental owners in particular (not all of them mind you), quit looking for favors and exclusions from City Hall. You should be treated like any other land owner in regards to safety, health, and legal requirements. This has not been done in the last 20 years from what I have observed in this community, and will only continue to create the kind of community where outsiders do not want to invest in.
I am not obtuse to the legal requirements of renters either, they have to hold up their end of the bargain, and not damage property. And there are easy and legal means of enforcement for the property owners.
Yet, without something like HRC, legitimate renters really have little recourse in actions from the arbitrary actions of a landlord. Or they feel it is not worth fighting City Hall (who is on the side of friendships/contributions/business relationships).