Comment Re:Low wage employees have no position of strength (Score 1) 1094
Minimum wage coupled with rent control might be workable if food and transportation costs are kept marginal.
I would prefer a "free market" solution. Require landlords to offer tenants an annual agreement valid for a minimum of 5 years that promises at least that number of years of lease extension at substantially the same terms and specifies the maximum rate increase over the next 5 years out and extendable every year.
The level of the rate increase is completely up to the landlord, their choice. HOWEVER, any rate increase specified by the agreement over the next 5 years will be presumed to be guaranteed income, which tax must be prepaid for, and only 80% of the tax amount will be eligible to be refunded under any circumstances whatsoever, including deductible expenses or if the tenant cancels their lease before that income is realized, and failing at the end of the year to add another year indicating intent to cancel the lease, will be valid, but a $1000 administrative fee must be paid to the government in order to do so, to help cover social programs, unless the tenant themself declared an intent to cancel the lease using a specific notarized form.