Call to Action:
In 2020, the rental housing industry is under assault. There are currently bills to cap the late fees you can charge, extend the notice you must give to end leases or raise rent, and more. Every IAA member needs to help us or you could see your freedoms reduced and your property rights diminished. In three steps this page explains how to stand up for your industry and your livelihood.
To preserve your freedom and property rights, you need to have a personal relationship with your Representative and State Senator. Legislators make decisions based on their principles, knowledge of the issues and personal relationships. You will need to educate your legislators, then build long term relationships with them (more on relationship building later). First, use the link below to find BOTH your Senator and your Representative. If you work and live in different places, use both addresses and if you have different legislators, reach out to both sets. If you manage many properties in multiple places, you have the right to contact each of the legislators where your rentals are located.
www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/whosmylegislator/
You can use some or all of the text below, but it is best if you put it in your own words. But first a couple of ground rules
Rule #1 Always be polite. Never attack, demean or condescend. Legislators get yelled at and attacked frequently and learn to tune those people out. You will have more power to persuade if you are polite and professional.
Rule # 2 Keep it simple and stay on topic. For those who don’t understand owning and/or managing rental property, explanations are best kept simple and should stay on topic. DO NOT GO ON TANGENTS.
When you speak with or email legislators about rental housing issues, explain that you are either a owner/manager or a property manager by trade, and the laws they are considering deeply affect you and the people of Idaho.
Rule #1 Always be polite. Never attack, demean or condescend. Legislators get yelled at and attacked frequently and learn to tune those people out. You will have more power to persuade if you are polite and professional.
Rule # 2 Keep it simple and stay on topic. For those who don’t understand owning and/or managing rental property, explanations are best kept simple and should stay on topic. DO NOT GO ON TANGENTS.
When you speak with or email legislators about rental housing issues, explain that you are either a owner/manager or a property manager by trade, and the laws they are considering deeply affect you and the people of Idaho.
Starting today, commit yourself to be engaged in government affairs that affect your business and your livelihood. Consider the following:
- Join the Government Affairs Committee. This committee tracks legislation, helps educate the membership and decision makers, interviews and support candidates who are friendly to our issues, and develops best policies for our businesses and properties. The next meeting will be Monday, March 2nd at 3:30 PM at Benchmark Apartments in Boise.
- Donate to our Political Action Committee that supports our efforts. One of the reasons we are under assault this year is we did not have enough money to hire a lobbyist. The old saying is correct “Either you have a seat at the Table, or you are on the Menu!” In 2020, rental owners and operators are definitely on the menu! We encourage every rental owner to put money in their budget for protection from terrible laws like the ones in process. We suggest $50 or more per owner, if you just have a unit or two, or several hundred dollars for a larger apartment communities.
- Get involved in your legislative races this Spring and Fall. We will help you determine which legislators are worth supporting and who should be defeated. We encourage you to donate to them personally, walk neighborhoods with them and encourage other voters to support them, and establish a personal relationship with them. If they know you by name because you support and help them, they will be more likely to listen to you in the future when there is an issue you care about.
