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Renters plan protest over possible landlord tax

Posted: Jan 5, 2010 12:21 AM
Updated: Jan 5, 2010 12:21 AM


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TUCSON- The Tucson City Council is currently considering a landlord's tax which would apply to properties with three or more rental units, including mobile home spaces and apartment complexes. Renters throughout the area are furious and are planning a rally at the Tucson Convention Center Tuesday.

Many renters like Nancy Crane Packard don't like the idea of the tax.

"Totally unfair," she says. Packard pays $550 a month in rent. The two percent tax would cost her an additional $11 dollars per month.

"It will effect me quite a bit, I'm on a fixed income and semi-retired," says Packard.

To show their concern, Nancy and other renters are making colorful posters ahead of Tuesday's council meeting. They are hoping for a turnout like the one back in April where hundreds of renters against the tax wore red to show their opposition. Back in April, a very similar tax was debated by the council.

Barbara Dolan with the Arizona Multi Housing Association also hopes for a big turnout.

"The City of Tucson shouldn't be balancing the budget on the backs of Tucson's renters," says Dolan, adding that the proposed tax puts apartment communities in the city at a disadvantage, compared to those in the county.

"We feel Tucson should be proud of not having a rental tax specifically because we know Tucson cares about housing affordability," says Dolan.

Some feel the city council is moving to a vote too quickly, without a public hearing first. Kim Fitch who manages multiple properties in Tucson is one of them.

"And it just seems sneaky," she says, adding many tenants are behind in rent as is and delinquencies are at a record high.

"A lot of our residents are hanging on by a wing and a prayer because they lost their jobs," says Fitch.

Instead of kicking renters out, Fitch puts them on a payment plan. She like others, hopes the city, is as flexible.

"I just think they should get money some other way," says Packard.

Flyers are being hung on apartment doors, urging renters to participate in Tuesday's rally against the proposed tax. The rally will kick off at 4:30pm in front of the Tucson Convention Center Tuesday.

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