I miss the breakfast sandwiches. Hand pies, too.

Incredible. So glad you’re in a better place!

Providence Power Yoga. They have two locations, one in East Providence and one downtown. I switched over to WSY for a bit but ended up switching back to PPY. I like the instructors better.

Thank you for your hard work and efforts in an incredibly important and worthwhile cause!

This is completely valid and understandable. I think my point in commenting here is to show that blanket demands about things like application fees hurt some of people that they aren’t meant to target. Many of my neighbors are in the same boat as me — owner-occupied 2+ family homes with good people who care about our tenants and the neighborhood. There are a lot of corporate investors in the city but there are also a lot of property owners that are not getting rich off our tenants, and are simply trying to find a sustainable way to own property. I cannot afford to own a single family home in the city, I rely on my tenants to help me pay my mortgage and I pay that back with reasonable rents and a safe, clean space. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to have my tenants cover the cost of a background check when we share a living space together.

My 2-family home is my one and only home. If you are making me the enemy, you have a losing cause.

Got it! I’ll sell my home and my dream of homeownership to someone who can 100% afford it without the rental income from the first floor. I’m sure there are lots of Boston investors who fit that bill, who will gladly jack the rent up and probably further the issues you are fighting against here.

The system I use gives a comprehensive criminal background check and eviction history. I personally do not rely on references because some property owners will give favorable references to problem tenants in order to get them out. Also, just like hiring for a job, a lot of people feel they open themselves up to potential litigation if they give any more information beyond rental dates. There is no perfect process but I feel more comfortable having the facts that a $35 background check provides.

I’m mostly concerned with an arrest record… assault, domestic violence, etc. I live on the premises so it’s important to me to do that kind of check.

It does not to be sent to a court registry, it just needs to be set aside in some other account.

Tenants can withhold rent until essential services are repaired. There is already a lever they can pull.

Owners have to depreciate the replacement cost anyway. If a carpet is 3 years old and is damaged to the point of replacing, you cannot charge for the full replacement. I think a lot of people are naive to what the laws actually are.

Glad we can have a nuanced conversation about this

Posted this in the r/rhodeisland thread, copied here too.

I own a 2-family home in PVD. I live in one unit and my tenants help me cover the cost of the mortgage. I keep my rent below market value and address any repairs or issues ASAP. It’s a good situation for everyone involved. I know this movement is meant to fight back against “slumlords” but some of these things will negatively affect those of us who are not part of the larger problem. I charge an application fee because it’s costs money to run a background check. It’s not a ton of money (I believe around $35 last time), but someone has to pay it. If I am reviewing multiple applications, it adds up. It makes the most sense for each applicant to cover their own background check. My biggest concern is sealing eviction histories. I try to be sympathetic to everyone’s unique situation in life but paying my mortgage each month requires my tenants to contribute. If someone has an eviction on their record, I believe that’s my right to know as a property owner. Housing in RI should be more affordable and safe, but these initiatives are not the way to do it.

I own a 2-family home in PVD. I live in one unit and my tenants help me cover the cost of the mortgage. I keep my rent below market value and address any repairs or issues ASAP. It’s a good situation for everyone involved. I know this movement is meant to fight back against “slumlords” but some of these things will negatively affect those of us who are not part of the larger problem. I charge an application fee because it’s costs money to run a background check. It’s not a ton of money (I believe around $35 last time), but someone has to pay it. If I am reviewing multiple applications, it adds up. It makes the most sense for each applicant to cover their own background check. My biggest concern is sealing eviction histories. I try to be sympathetic to everyone’s unique situation in life but paying my mortgage each month requires my tenants to contribute. If someone has an eviction on their record, I believe that’s my right to know as a property owner. Housing in RI should be more affordable and safe, but these initiatives are not the way to do it.

Not a fan of public surveillance but you are likely being surveilled more than you know, especially with the new plate readers implemented recently. If this technology is available and being used, I’d rather direct it towards people that are doing the most dangerous and idiotic things, like driving in a bike path. That and gunshot detection. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em… right?

They have speed cameras but why not safety cameras? Should be an automatic ticket for something like that

IIRC, it used to be a member-only benefit but they opened it up to the general public a few months back.

Seconding this! Wednesdays and Saturdays I believe

A lot of places had heaters and spaces that were comfortable in the colder weather. Just asking if there are any that still exist and it looks like I got a few good suggestions here.