(Originally posted on LinkedIn on Jan 30, 2024)
Every year, I buy a new car.
It started in 2010 when I moved out on my own: a black Dodge Caliber. Second hand.
This year’s purchase was a new 2023 Kia Forte that I picked up from a dealer in St. Catharines.
And so on, every year in between, I’ve spent my after-tax money to purchase a car.
You must be thinking “where does he store these cars?” or maybe “why would anyone do this?”
Well, you see… I don’t buy these cars for myself.
I buy them for Susan, my landlord’s niece. For Rajiv, another landlord’s cousin. In 2016, I bought a real treat – a new 2016 Toyota Prius C – for Carrie. She was my landlord’s second wife.
As a renter I have to hand over a car’s-worth of cash every year. For the privilege of living indoors.
I know, I know. “Nothing in life is free”. We all have to pay.
But it’s a whopper, isn’t it? When you really think about the sums involved…
And it’s a doozy when you picture the alternative to having a roof over your head (I ❤️ love you Mom, but me and the fam aren’t moving back into the spare bedroom )
My landlords have changed over the years: I started with Briarlane, a large holding company here in Toronto.
Then my landlord was Akelius – a Swedish real estate firm who’s main trick is to perform unnecessary “improvements” to jack up your rent.
In 2016 my landlord was CAP REIT – a REIT is a special scam that charges real-estate businesses way less tax than other businesses. Because… they’re a sort of elaborate hobby rather than a for-profit entity!?
One day you – yes you – will have a chance to lighten the burden for renters like me.
Your chance will look like voting for politicians who support denser housing, more multi-storey, more “container” or “prefab” housing.
Your chance might be filling a city-run survey where you say you’re ok with more schools in your neighbourhood & more 3-bedroom units in new buildings.
Your chance might look like expressing support for an ombudsman who’s investigating corruption in the construction industry, and corruption in your Province’s housing ministry (this is how you know I’m from Ontario 😆 ).
Come join me in pushing for housing options that make sense for renters.
And maybe – one day – I’ll be able to give you a lift in a real car!
