Save For A House Now

It's tough being a renter these days. A recent local newspaper article talked about how many neighbourhoods protest if a secondary suite is added to a home, wanting to keep out renters who spoil home values. Now there will be monthly home inspections done by agents of the landlord.

When I was in high school we used to have discussions about the merits of owning a home vs. renting. The general consensus back then was that there wasn't much difference and that renters had more freedom and could invest their money in other ways.

If only we could have looked ahead and seen that renters of the future would face prejudice and be treated like second class citizens. Some landlords are already power crazy with their title of "lord of the land" and this will only encourage more abuse.

Now there is going to be monthly inspections by a company hired by the landlord who will most certainly raise the rent to pay for this affront to privacy?

Some grow-ops have been found in homes purchased by the grower specifically for growing pot. Will all homes now be inspected? Not a chance.

I urge all young people who may read this letter to start saving now for a home to purchase. I have rented for years and in general its been a bad experience thats getting worse all the time. Renting allows other people to control your life in a detrimental way and you are throwing your money away. As our society continues forward with its class system, renters will continue to be the victims of prejudice, discrimination, high rents for profit and now, loss of privacy.

-M.G.