As seen in the Buffalo News:

As an owner of two rental units and my own home, I know first-hand that rental housing in New York is too few in number, expensive to maintain, susceptible to market forces and intertwined with home ownership, personal savings, and retirements. The “good cause” eviction bill will have negative effects on our neighbors who have worked hard, saved money, bought houses and invested in providing homes for their neighbors.

The bill will lead to higher costs for rent. Caps on rent raises will further incentivize rent increases, as inflation of necessary expenses and repairs can quickly outpace the 3% proposed cap.

Also, the bill gives you good cause not to invest in housing if you are close to retirement. Take, for example, those who rent out single-family homes. If you need to sell that house quickly due to an estate, retirement – or for whatever reason – to deliver that home to market and ready for an owner occupant buyer, you need to deliver it vacant. Good cause eviction will not allow you to do that.

Additionally, when buyers use FHA or VA loans, the house must be delivered vacant as a condition of the mortgage. The passing of good cause eviction will make it more difficult for FHA and VA mortgage applicants to buy a home. They are the ones up against the steepest odds in the home buying arena.

On behalf of small property owners, I strongly urge state lawmakers to reject good cause eviction.