tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post5244262206495695873..comments2023-10-25T21:11:44.375-07:00Comments on Twilight Zoning in Bellingham: Four Years of Western Front Editorials and Still No Action on Rental Health and SafetyZonemavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-44485919231352921422014-01-04T09:07:33.690-08:002014-01-04T09:07:33.690-08:00Were Bellingham to have a rental inspection progra...Were Bellingham to have a rental inspection program, rentals with non-existent or inadequate locks would be forced to provide adequately secured doors and windows. In this case, you suggest that the landlord kept the rental's locks and keys the same after the last tenant moved out thus providing an opening for a former tenant or an acquaintance of the tenant to use a duplicate key. <br /><br />There is no Bellingham ordinance that would cover this situation. Your only recourse at the present is to complain to the landlord. I assume you have made a police report. If so, you can attach that report to a demand for the landlord to replace or rekey the locks.Zonemavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-51974409620933714932013-12-29T12:44:00.203-08:002013-12-29T12:44:00.203-08:00I am the father of a western student. My son recen...I am the father of a western student. My son recently had some items stolen. We found that the landlord didn't buy new locks. Any advice?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07727475133100400511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-23083081540763453302013-11-20T16:55:22.362-08:002013-11-20T16:55:22.362-08:00Abe,
Thanks for taking the time to comment and ad...Abe,<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to comment and adding your personal experience with the rental stock. Yes, students comprise a fraction of all renters in Bellingham but a susbstantial fraction with 8-10,000 living off-campus. They are, by virtue of being students, the largest block of tenants who are represented by an elected body, the board of the Associated Students. These elected officers are fighting on behalf of their fellow students to ensure they do not have to live in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.Zonemavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-1887483044201358022013-11-20T09:53:04.608-08:002013-11-20T09:53:04.608-08:00Dick,
Thanks for your work on this issue.
Student...Dick,<br />Thanks for your work on this issue.<br /><br />Students are not the only people in Bellingham living in squalid and/or unsafe rental housing. It is a problem of much of the entire rental-housing stock.<br /><br />During the Autumn, my wife and I spent scores of hours doorbelling for a political campaign. Not only does this provide pretty good exercise, but it's a chance to see parts of Bellingham that one might ordinarily be unaware of.<br /><br />Our overwhelming impression is that there are far too many un-maintained and unsafe rental dwellings. Examples of unsafe features include:<br />(a) Rickety second-floor (and higher) railings that could collapse under force.<br />(b) Outdoor stairways prone to ice-up and with rotting steps.<br />(c) Obstructions at head height for people accessing their doorway. <br />(d) Dark and poorly-lit entryways that fairly beg for problems.<br />(e) Non-compliant electrical.<br /><br />Abe Jacobson<br />BellinghamAbe Jacobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00332896461501944728noreply@blogger.com