Revenue Enhancing Ideas

[Stephen Eisel]

Do we make all renters register with the city? If not, could the city force renters to register with the city and charge them a $100 registration fee? The city could make it a yearly thing. Or the city could make the landlord do it.

[john crino]

1)have churches pay property taxes
2)have a police car or two or three, on Lake ave between 7am and 9am and again from 4pm-6pm AND actually pull people over going more than 35mph. Better yet,change the speed limit to 25mph and hire a cop just for the purpose of ticketing.

[sharon kinsella]

I'm a renter and I will not pay a residency fee. Believe or not property taxes are part of the equation when rent is figured.

So if you think renters don't contribute to property taxes, think again.

[Stephen Eisel]

I'm a renter and I will not pay a residency fee. Believe or not property taxes are part of the equation when rent is figured.

So if you think renters don't contribute to property taxes, think again.

In most situations, renters do not pay any type of property tax. Yes, the landlord probably calculates the property tax into the amount of the rent but the renters in most cases are not directly paying any type of property tax. You are paying the landlord and are not (in most cases) liable for any property taxes. So it is fair to charge renters a residency fee. You are paying for the use of the space you rent period. Rather than increase my propety taxes or take away city services this city should begin to charge a residency fee to the majority of renters (if legal). ***** some low income residents should be exempted***

[Dee Martinez]

Next idea, please.
A landlord who owns a double might be paying $100-$200a month or more per unit in property taxes. Depending on when he bought the property, the tax bill could be as high as his montly mortgage payment.
If he is not passing that along to his tenants, he is not a good businessperson.
And on top of that, the LANDLORD gets to DEDUCT the property tax he pays. The renter doesn't. The portion of rent that goes to cover the property tax has a secondary benefit to the landlord, but none to the tenant.
And renters pay exactly the same property tax as homeowners.
So what you're talking about is a renter paying THREE types of tax, instead of two.
Im all for the city getting a better handle on whos here in terms of being able to collect income tax from renters. Lakewood is unique in this regard and needs to make a special effort. This isnt the right effort.

another thing, lets remember that the CITY is financed generally through the INCOME tax. While the city does get some, PROPERTY taxes primarily benefit the SCHOOLS.

[sharon kinsella]

My rent covers the costs of the property taxes. Unlike homeowners, I have no deductions, no profits from resale, only my money, my good tenant practices, my civic commitment and I deserve respect for that.

This is a bad idea founded on faulty logic.

By the way, thanks Dee.

[Stephen Eisel]

And renters pay exactly the same property tax as homeowners.
So what you're talking about is a renter paying THREE types of tax, instead of two.
Im all for the city getting a better handle on whos here in terms of being able to collect income tax from renters. Lakewood is unique in this regard and needs to make a special effort. This isnt the right effort.

another thing, lets remember that the CITY is financed generally through the INCOME tax. While the city does get some, PROPERTY taxes primarily benefit the SCHOOLS.

Renters (in most cases) do not pay property taxes. Renters pay rent to the owner of the dwelling. Rent is not a tax. Renters (in most cases) are not liable for any type of property tax. The Rent goes to the owner of the dwelling.. The owner of the dwelling pays the property tax and his money goes to the government to pay the taxes. Renters are not paying property taxes. This is a pretty black and white situation. 15,000 renters paying a $100 each in registration fees would generate $1,500,000 in registration fee revenue. That is nothing to sneeze at... I proposed a registration fee not a tax.

[Stephen Eisel]

My rent covers the costs of the property taxes. Unlike homeowners, I have no deductions, no profits from resale, only my money, my good tenant practices, my civic commitment and I deserve respect for that.

This is a bad idea founded on faulty logic.

By the way, thanks Dee.

This is an opportunity for the city to collect extra revenue. It is a fee and has nothing to do with property taxes..

[sharon kinsella]

How many ways and how many times does some need to address any issue with you Stephen?

Your logic is faulty. I could get a comparable rental cheaper in other suburbs than Lakewood. Since I choose to live in Lakewood I am willing to pay rent that includes covering THE COST OF PROPERTY TAXES.

Anyone in property management will tell you that all these costs go into figuring fair market rental values.

Unless you are suggesting that ALL residents pay a yearly fee, this argument is null and void.

[David Lay]

Renting is NOT a crime.

[Stephen Eisel]

How many ways and how many times does some need to address any issue with you Stephen?

Your logic is faulty. I could get a comparable rental cheaper in other suburbs than Lakewood. Since I choose to live in Lakewood I am willing to pay rent that includes covering THE COST OF PROPERTY TAXES.

Anyone in property management will tell you that all these costs go into figuring fair market rental values.

Unless you are suggesting that ALL residents pay a yearly fee, this argument is null and void.

Again, you brought up the property tax issue and fail to realize that you do not pay property taxes. You pay rent, end of conversation. This is a fee and a revenue opportunity for the city. It would be in addition to your rent.

[David Lay]

Stephen,

I pay rent to my landlord, who in turn pays property taxes on the property that I rent.

If I also had to pay a tax/fee/whatever, wouldn't that be double-dipping?

EDIT: According to the county auditor's website, my landlord paid 12,218.12 in property taxes last year for the building I live in.

[sharon kinsella]

Stephen - I don't fail to realize anything. I happen to be a little beyond the moron stage.

Talk to a property manager because obviously you seem to think you are the only one who knows what they're talking about.

[Richard Cole]

Do we make all renters register with the city? If not, could the city force renters to register with the city and charge them a $100 registration fee? The city could make it a yearly thing. Or the city could make the landlord do it.

I can only assume this is a joke, right. I think you missed a

Or maybe, make adult children living at their parents home pay a residency tax ?

Or possibly families with more than one pet ?

I still say a cursory check through the County Auditor website reveals many who owe - let's get uncollected revenue before entertaining "creative" taxation proposals.

[sharon kinsella]

Oh and Stephen -

Not the end of conversation. That would be the exchange of ideas not a sanctimonious diatribe.