Landlord as Scapegoat

Kathy Lea is Head of Learning Resources in the Buchanan Resource Centre
at Lethbridge Community College.

This would be an excellent textbook for courses in law, sociology,
social work, civics, or urban planning. It is also a “must” read for
those contemplating owning a rental property. It is an extremely
well-done explanation of how, under rent controls, small landlords are
subsidizing tenants while themselves being underrepresented in setting
the laws that might affect them. What makes this book excellent is its
attention to detail and its numerous reader aids. The preface contains a
summary of each chapter; there is a table of contents and a list of
figures and tables; notes appear at the end of each chapter rather than
at the end of the book; the tables are clear and easy to understand; a
summary concludes the book. The appendixes are varied and interesting;
and the bibliography is extensive and well done. Of particular interest
to this reviewer were cartoons from a variety of sources, and anecdotes
from Emily Carr’s autobiography of her days as a landlady in Victoria.