Landlords need to care about area

Oh no! Another "for rent" sign. That usually means an absentee investor landlord or an estate house on which inheritors think they can make some money.

If you watch these houses, you can tell what is happening because they keep going downhill in appearance. The grass doesn't get cut, the weeds start to take over the landscaping, trash collects in the backyard and, if the renters are young, the house turns into a gathering place for other young adults.

These renters are not bad people, they just don't care because they have nothing invested. The owners are probably not bad people either, they just don't care because they don't have to look at it. As long as the rent check comes every month, they don't have to care. However, if you are unfortunate to live near one of these absentee landlord houses, you can see your property values go down and the neighborhood deteriorate.

Not all rental properties show this type of decline. I know of some that are well-kept. Don't ruin certain areas of the Village of Williamsville because you don't care. Some of us take pride in our homes and the Village and do care. Carolyn Schlifke

Evans Street Williamsville