A Syracuse landlord says proposed measures aimed at protecting tenants from shady landlords could make the market difficult for honest ones.
Rick Destito just finished putting the final touches on a near-west side apartment for a new tenant.
He owns a handful of properties, including The Gear Factory on West Fayette Street. Destito says he strives for a diplomatic connection with tenants, rather than the antagonism often portrayed when discussing landlord-tenant issues.
“It's the relationship. There's certain things that they're supposed to do. There's certain things that I'm supposed to do," Destito said. "And if we both do those things, then that's how good business works. I provide the apartment, I take care of the place. If something breaks, they call me. Basically their job is to take care of the place, make sure it's clean and well kept. And they pay the rent on time.”
But Destito knows it doesn’t always work out, and a landlord needs to evict a tenant. For him, it’s the exception. He’s kicked out fewer than five people in 24 years. But the city wants to apply pressure on disreputable landlords who arbitrarily evict tenants by requiring them to give good cause before serving notice. That includes showing proof that a tenant is damaging property, disrupting neighbors, or conducting illegal activity. Common councilors are currently debating the Good Cause law. But, Destito says there are other ways the city can hold landlords accountable.
“Rather than put more restrictions and guidelines on landlords, I would say, what's the real issue? "Destito said. "It's a lot of times it's more of a code issue or it's lead issues or things aren't being taken care of. I'd rather see the city hire more code department.”
Destito says its aggravating that a few crooked landlords give the rest a bad name. He worries the Good Cause Eviction Law might end up like the city's rental registry.
“I almost feel like this would be another one of those cases where they put something else on the books that good landlords try to abide by, and the landlords who are actually the problem just wave it off.”
A decision by the council on whether the city should opt-in to the state law is still months away.
KEEPING RENTS LOW IN A SURGING MARKET
One of the provisions of the proposed Good Cause Eviction Law caps excessive rent increases, sometimes used as a way to push tenants out. Average rents in Syracuse soared 22 percent between February 2023 and 2024, among the fastest increases in the nation.
Rick Destito says he tries to keep his tenants by holding rents low. If he does raise them, it’s only gradually, especially for long-term tenants.
"I've raised rents over the last five years by like $50 increment, one year, maybe 25 other years because they've been great and I don't want to lose them," Destito said. "It's still way below market, but if I bump it up too high, then I have to re-rent it, and then I'm probably going to lose out on a month’s rent and here or there. So it kind of a wash.”
Destito says he typically raises rents between tenants. The average rent for a studio apartment in Syracuse is more than $960 a month. That’s what Destito charges for a two-bedroom unit. He says he tries to establish an open dialogue and understanding with tenants in case they find themselves in a tough situation.
“You lost your job? Your car broke down? OK, let me work on it with you," Destito said. "You're going to be late. OK, listen, as long as me and you keep talking, there's nothing we can't figure out. Let me know what your situation is. Do you have a new job lined up? You got money coming in? If we have to catch up, let's do it gradually so it doesn't break you. Everybody has these little hiccups and most landlords, I think, would try to work through that process with the tenant rather than kicking them out.”
Eviction is what Good Cause Law aims to prevent. If passed, it will cap rent increases at about 10 percent, and give good tenants a guaranteed right to a lease renewal. Landlords would have to show good cause to remove a tenant, including non-payment, denying a landlord access to the unit, property damage, and criminal activity. Destito feels it’s a bit much, especially for landlords who already follow the rules.
“Have a little faith in landlords that they're trying to do the right thing. Most of them are, anyway. It's a job that we're trying to do well.”
To be clear, Destito is only one landlord, and there are varying perspectives on the pros and cons of Good Cause. Those will be heard in the coming months as the Syracuse Common Council holds public hearings on the measure.
