Letter to the Editor

Why McCook lacks rentals

Friday, October 28, 2011

Dear Editor,

In regard to the article about the low supply of rental units in McCook: I suspect the problem is in the rules limiting your selection of tenants.

A recent landlord in McCook never advertises his rentals, as he has acquired a list of people who might be interested in renting one if it became available.

Some of his renters stay as long as 20 years. As a recent renter when moving in, we smelled dog urine in the whole house. The landlord very graciously agreed to recarpet the house.

We repainted some rooms and did small repairs at our own expense.

When our lease was up and we moved out, the landlord commented that it was the first time that a rental was cleaner after we moved out than when we moved in.

If more tenants did that, there would be more rentals available.

A friend who lives in a big city and has been successful in renting 20 houses, says the secret to success is a large deposit, good credit rating and no pets.

Prior to renting each unit, he videotapes each room to verify carpets are clean and everything is in order.

When the lease is ending, he compares the video for damage and uses a blue light to check carpet for hidden pet damage.

If all is in order, he refunds the deposit in full.

Perhaps the reason for the shortage of rentals is 1. lack of profit, 2. Tenant indifference.

Del Harsh,

Cambridge, Nebraska

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  • The same is true on the other side. Many rentals are simply deplorable. People moving the the area, notice I typed area, are living in communities outside McCook because of the terrible condition of many of the rentals.

    Perhaps it is the landlords who must lean up their acts as well.

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Mon, Oct 31, 2011, at 9:11 PM
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