Landlords

Dense, run-down apartment buildings in New York City

Can We Prevent Slumlords From Buying More Buildings?

Why should owners of buildings in illegally poor repair be able to buy more rentals? As Washington, D.C. found, it can be a difficult thing to prevent.

September 11, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

Two-story apartment building behind black iron fence in Pacoima, California

More Research Needed to Understand the Rental Market

Large institutional investors are changing the realities of the U.S. rental housing market, but a lack of information makes it hard for cities to respond.

September 7, 2022 - Urban Institute

San Francisco Apartments

Unmasking the Property Owners

There’s a reason land ownership is a matter of public record—but at the moment the records we have aren’t actually doing the job.

September 1, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

Eviction notice posted on gate

Study: Tenant Distance From Court Affects Eviction Risk

Renters with longer commutes to eviction courts, often located downtown, face higher eviction rates.

June 13, 2022 - Marketplace

Tenants' rights rally in front of Los Angeles City Hall, June 2021

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to L.A. Eviction Moratorium

With the U.S. Supreme Court refusing to hear the latest challenge to the city’s eviction moratorium, eviction protections in Los Angeles remain in place—for now.

April 19, 2022 - LAist

A block of the Bowery in New York City seen from high above, with taxis and other cars passing on the street in front of the buildings.

How Hidden Property Owners and Bad Landlord Patterns Are Revealed in NYC

New housing tools in New York City demystify building ownership information and identify problematic landlord behavior. What would it take to replicate them?

March 31, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

On-Street Parking

Philadelphia 'Diversion Program' Prevents Evictions Through Mediation

A program that provides mediation between landlords and tenants has helped a majority of applicants avoid eviction, signaling a promising avenue for renter assistance as landlords seek to recoup COVID-era losses.

March 4, 2022 - Next City

Apartment Construction

No Evictions for Less Than $600, Says New D.C. Law

As part of a bill that made many COVID-era tenant protections permanent, the District voted to ban eviction filings for households owing less than $600 in back rent.

March 3, 2022 - DCist

Eviction Crisis

New York's 'Good Cause Eviction' Bill, Explained

Here's a slightly humorous approach to a serious topic: the Good Cause Eviction law making its way through the New York State Legislature.

January 18, 2022 - The New York Times

Houston, Texas

Houston Council Will Consider Stricter Apartment Inspection Process

The proposal would reform the inspection process to improve coordination between departments and institute a fine for landlords who don't make requested repairs.

October 19, 2021 - Houston Public Media

Washington

Eviction Moratorium Spurs Passionate Debate in Seattle

Renter protections are a contentious issue, but that only increases the need for honest and transparent debate.

October 5, 2021 - Crosscut

Coronavirus

More Insight Into the Effects of the Pandemic for Rental Property Landlords

A pair of recent surveys attempt to shed light on the changing business and property management practices of landlords during the pandemic.

September 30, 2021 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

For Rent

The Pandemic Effect: Landlord Edition

A new survey highlights the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on small landlords, who provide much of the nation's low-cost rental housing.

September 9, 2021 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Eviction Crisis

U.S. Supreme Court Tosses New York's Eviction Moratorium

On August 12, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency order to block the state of New York's eviction moratorium.

August 23, 2021 - Inman News

Rent Jubilee

Survey Measures Consequences of the Pandemic for Small Landlords

A new survey reveals details about the financial crunch facing owners of small rental properties as tenants struggle to pay rent during the pandemic and emergency aid is slow to reach those in need.

July 20, 2021 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

 The Young Apartments — 1621 South Grand Avenue, at the southern end of Downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Ordinance Will Ban Tenant Harassment

The law targets "knowing and willful" actions on the part of landlords meant to drive tenants out of rent-controlled apartments.

June 23, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Apartments St. Louis

Small Landlords Feel the Effects of Lost Rental Income

While eviction moratoriums helped keep many tenants in their homes during the pandemic, the nation's renters have amassed a collective debt of over $52 billion, and many mom-and-pop landlords are struggling to hold on.

April 12, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

For Rent

Keeping an Eye on Landlord Tech

The landlord tech industry, while alive and well prior to COVID-19, has ramped up in the past year to develop new ways to accumulate wealth at the expense of tenants.

April 6, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Basement Apartment

Security Deposit Alternatives: The Misleading Marketing of 'Renter's Choice'

Dozens of cities and states are considering legislation allowing alternatives to upfront security deposits, such as "security deposit insurance." The only problem? It's not actually insurance.

December 17, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

HUD

HUD Rule Change Allows Landlords to Use Screening Services Despite Discrimination Concerns

A revised U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rule makes it more difficult to submit claims of housing discrimination when a landlord's decisions is influenced by a third-party tenant screening service.

October 1, 2020 - The Markup

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.