My name is Bev Bishop. I am a small landlord and a resident of Westminster. I am a former educator, a volunteer in my community, and I love taking my cat on walks around my neighborhood. I have owned my own home for over 40 years, and I feel a great sense of responsibility and loyalty to my neighbors, my community, and those around me.Â
In addition to my own home, I am fortunate to own a second house next door to mine that I keep as a rental property. Even as a small landlord, I take my responsibilities to keep my properties in good condition and working order seriously. It’s important to me to provide a healthy place to live, for the people who live in them. My first renter was a senior citizen who became seriously ill and then died in May of 2023. Last July a small refugee family from Venezuela moved into the house and they are employed and doing well. I charge them what I think is reasonable rent, and I help them find the resources and tools they need to feel comfortable.Â
When I think about rent stabilization here in Colorado, it makes perfect sense. As a landlord, I have the option to work with my renters and find ways to keep them housed and keep them paying rent. Honestly, it saves me money. When a renter vacates the property, even in the best scenarios, we as landlords are left with expenses. From a practical financial perspective it makes more sense to work with the people renting from us. I have no reason to raise rents by hundreds of dollars and kick out my renters. It just doesn’t make sense. For me, rent stabilization is the right thing to do to keep renters in their homes and build stability for both renters and small landlords like me.
