SLO rental inspection opponents are hypocrites

It was laugh-out-loud funny to read that the cowardly, anonymous group opposing San Luis Obispo’s new rental housing inspection program claims the law violates their rights (“SLO rental inspections start amid growing opposition,” Feb. 15). But, they had no problem trespassing on my property last week and vandalizing my house by posting one their fliers on the front of my home. The flier, with the word “warning” emblazoned in all caps, looks like an official notification. Hypocrites would be my mildest description of these people.

I strongly support the rental housing inspection program. Recently, I was asked by my student neighbors to help them identify a particular shut-off valve (something a homeowner knows). When passing through their garage, I was disturbed to see it contained two converted sleeping spaces. I felt bad that students were forced to live like this by price-gouging landlords.

I don’t understand why people like Councilman Dan Carpenter and property owner Sylvia Drucker want to protect slumlords and continue to force students to live in overpriced squalor. I’m sure they have their reasons. Hopefully, in due time, expanded housing at Cal Poly will put the slumlords out of business. Until then, I hope the city enforces this law to the fullest.

This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 11:41 AM with the headline "SLO rental inspection opponents are hypocrites."