If we, the citizens of this city want to solve this high tax problem then all the voters need to be on board, single family owners and renters.  

It is common practice for businesses to do triple net leases for commercial rentals.  In these cases the leasee pays a base lease amount and is then also responsible for the  other costs and variable costs associated with the usage such as the water, sewer, taxes etc.

If renters were able to see the portion of their rent that went to taxes and fees then they might vote a little differently in the next elections.  When it is buried in there rent they dont see it.  I am not saying to separately bill it like that every month but when you do a new lease.  What I am saying to do is to disclose how much of the rent is taxes, ufees, utilities ect.  So when taxes and fees go up 10% the $20 rent increase doesnt look like you are padding your pocket.  In the real live example below, $260 of the rent is going to the city.  For a landlord that pays all untilities thats another $167.00.  So if the rent is $600 then there is really only $170.00 left per year to pay for Insurance, Background check, evictions, Snow Removal, maintenance, security, rental certificates, fines for your neighbor leaving his garbage cans out on your property and the almost guarantees code enforcement donations.  This would more than double the amount of people in the city demanding action.  It would more than double the number of voters.  It would increase the number of people who demand accountability.  

This is all if your lucky enough to get a good tenant at $600 per month.  Great doing business in Schenectady.

The following is an example of what a typicall owner of a 3 unit in Schenectady faces.  For those of you who say that is your problem landlord, take a step back and look hard at how this is also hurting you.


3 Unit Assessed Value-----     $180,000                     
Taxes and Fees -------------     Rates          Per Year     Per Month     Per Unit      Per Month
County Tax Rate------------      $13.09       $2,356.20       $196.35       $785.40       $65.45
State Tax Mandate---------      $6.65        $1,197.00        $99.75        $399.00        $33.25
County Election Charge---      ------               $20.00          $1.67           $6.67           $0.56
School Tax-------------------      $20.90       $3,762.00       $313.50  $1,254.00       $104.50
Trash Collection Fee-------      ------             $500.00       $41.67       $166.67       $13.89
Flat Rate Sewer------------      -------            $880.00       $73.33       $293.33       $24.44
Flat Rate Water------------      ------             $660.00       $55.00       $220.00       $18.33
                    

Portion of the Rent Going to Taxes, Water and Sewer and Garbage                                                $260.42

Heat Hotwater and Electric                      $6,000.00        $500.00        $2,000      $166.67

Total Rent to City School Taxes, Fees and Utilities                          $427.09

That is a very interesting idea.  I know my rent includes all the taxes and fees.  I am very fortunate my rent has not gone up to much even when they are adding these fees.  I am sure my landlord is taking a hit.

This may get folks motivated to vote.  I think about the percentage of renters compared to owners and if I am not mistaken the ratio is more renters then owners.

Quoted from Cel

That is a very interesting idea.  I know my rent includes all the taxes and fees.  I am very fortunate my rent has not gone up to much even when they are adding these fees.  I am sure my landlord is taking a hit.

This may get folks motivated to vote.  I think about the percentage of renters compared to owners and if I am not mistaken the ratio is more renters then owners.

Thanks, it is probably 2 or 3 to ones.  There are a lot of people renting single family homes in the city now since the homes arent selling.  There are also a lot of people who are letting strangers live with them to help pay the bills.  

The rents today are out of sight! All because of taxes!!!! We know many folks who own income property and they have to raise their rents almost yearly just to break even with the ever rising taxes/fees. Municipal housing/section 8 has no problem since they have the taxpayers to bleed!!