HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-09-25 Public Comment - A. Yonke - Tenants right to counselFrom:angela yonke
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Tenants right to counsel
Date:Thursday, May 8, 2025 10:19:15 AM
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Good Evening City Commission,
My name is Angela Yonke, and I have lived in Bozeman for 14 years. I am writing to
urge this commission to support a tenant’s right to counsel.
In my time here, I have seen rent drastically increase and become largely
unaffordable, sometimes taking up to 50% of incomes, for working folks in Bozeman.
This is not acceptable. While we may not be able to regulate unreasonable rent levels
by landlords, we can make renters and owners feel secure, supported, heard,
accountable, and valued with this legal service.
I have lived in a lot of makeshift living situations-- improper insulation that was not up
to code, repairs that went untended to, animal infestations, and reasonable fix
situations which escalated into bigger problems. I feel very fortunate to have found
friends or word of mouth situations where rent is affordable, but I also feel trapped--
like I can’t leave concerned I will not be able to find something better within my
means. There have been times when a rent deal has been too good to pass up even
though a dwelling has shoddy construction and a less than ideal living environments.
Even with a stable full time job, I don’t have a lot of options for housing within my
price range.
In the past, I have been reluctant to speak out about repairs and issues I have, for
fear of retaliation. I don’t want my rent to increase or to make an antagonistic
environment with my landlord. A landlord should want to fix issues so they don’t
become bigger issues, but when tenants are afraid of retaliation it doesn’t feel safe to
bring up issues and face unknown consequences.
I have a strong sense of justice, and I really believe that tenants should have a right
to legal to counsel. Our justice system should be an even playing field. Just like
someone being accused of a crime, a tenant should have the right to the same--
especially since evictions are about putting our basic needs at risk.
Right to counsel is a way to facilitate a better relationship between landlords and
tenants, and achieve more constructive agreements. This benefits everyone. It saves
money for our city. It allows people to feel safe speaking out, and advocate for
themselves. Landlords can know they have their bases covered, and that they are
operating lawfully. My hope is also that landlords will be more mindful of how rental
contracts are written and make sure they are following legal and government
regulated parameters. This accountability is something I think is lacking in many
owners in Bozeman. A happy tenant is a stable tenant. A stable tenant can create
stability for the landlord and sign long term leases. When communication is open and
clear this dynamic can only thrive.
Right to counsel holds everyone accountable: landlords will need to have accurate
documentation, and tenants will have to demonstrate the steps that they have taken.
This service can also help prevent retaliatory evictions before they happen and
become a space for mediation and negotiation. Evictions can be so impactful on a
person’s life causing a chain of events, debt, hopelessness, shame, mar the
reputation of a person for life, and physically put someone’s life and health in
jeopardy. I would hope legal counsel can help build empathy, understanding, and
enforce responsibility on both parties involved.
I support the right to counsel, and believe it is the right thing for our city moving
forward.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Angela Yonke