To the editor:

Seems to me that no (or little) enforcement regarding the number of unrelated renters also is the main problem with rental property in all single-family zoned neighborhoods.

Without a substantial penalty for noncompliance, and no real effort to determine the number of renters, there is no reason for any landlord to comply. Many are thumbing their noses at the ordinance. I was told by a builder that he knows of landlords who not only have four, five (or more) renters in a single-family zone, but they have not even registered their rental property because there is no penalty if caught.

Partial solutions include:

1. All rental property be registered (multifamily included), and also their tenants.

2. Reduce unrelated renters in single-family zoned neighborhoods to two.

3. All rental property should provide off-street parking (not a graveled front yard).

4. Levy a 1 percent tax on all rental income to help offset police, fire and city infrastructure costs that unfairly burden businesses and homeowners.

Rental properties in central Lawrence single-family zones have eliminated over 50 percent of owner-occupied homes. There is no such thing as single-family zoned housing in Lawrence. All single-family zoning is multifamily zoning by de-facto. Rental “businesses” within single-family zones is the principal reason for over-priced housing in central Lawrence. Rental housing to unrelated renters in single-family zoning also is the single biggest reason for the demise of families and schools in central Lawrence, which is fast becoming a “student slum.”

Sadly, central Lawrence has become undesirable for family living. Ask any Realtor.

Bob Blank,

Lawrence