US rents hit a record high for the 17th month in a row

[MontanaMama]

3. We own a little duplex

here in town. We’ve owned it since 1994. I gutted both sides a few years back and updated the kitchens and bathrooms and re-did the hardwood floors. I haven’t raised rents in 5 years. I could, I guess….but I just haven’t. We’ve been so fortunate to have long term renters throughout the years. Our property taxes are going up by 12% next year so I will probably have to bump it up a little bit…I haven’t crunched the numbers yet. 12% is a big jump and I’ll have to shoulder that on the duplex, my personal home and at our business as well. I know there are rentals owned by millionaires and billionaires…but I thought I’d mention that some of them are owned by people like me.

ETA: I am very aware that many many properties have been bought up by corporate interests and renters are being gouged on rents. It’s happening in my community too.