Economics in my life
The beginning of spring semester brought new tenants to my apartment complex. In my complex some individual units are owned privately so landlords set their own rules. In order to please their tenants, some landlords allow them to keep their small dogs even though it goes against BYU Off Campus Housing Rules and Regulations. This comes with a set of negative externalities, which were brought to my attention when a small pack of Chihuahuas moved in this past April.
I started noticing little landmines of dog waste in the grass of our quad. Equally annoying, we began to hear the high-pitched yapping of Chihuahuas throughout the day. Now instead of being able to run around the grass without care, tenants have to be wary as they walk through it in order to avoid stepping in the piles of doggie doo. Instead of being able to enjoy the silence as we work on our homework or try to get some sleep, we endure the yelps of the rat-like canines.
One day when I was walking through the quad I saw the offender taking her dogs out to relieve themselves. Not liking what I was seeing I suggested that she take her dogs to the small patch of grass in the corner of the parking lot next time. She responded with compliance and I thought that was the end of it. But lo and behold later that evening I see her out in the middle of the quad watching her dogs leave their mark.
To this girl in my complex, the cost of walking an additional 30 feet or even the cost of just picking up the waste did not yield her any extra benefits. She didn’t care that all of her ward members secretly resented her.
Well about a week ago this flyer appeared on everyone’s door stating that if a unit was found with a pet they would be charged $100 for each pet and charged additional fees to any damage done by the animals.
This is an example of a market not being able to reach a socially optimal outcome on its own. The necessity of government intervention (that is the Santa Barbara Homeowner’s Association and BYU Off Campus Housing) was made apparent when this young woman would not respond to the suggestions of her neighbors.
I started noticing little landmines of dog waste in the grass of our quad. Equally annoying, we began to hear the high-pitched yapping of Chihuahuas throughout the day. Now instead of being able to run around the grass without care, tenants have to be wary as they walk through it in order to avoid stepping in the piles of doggie doo. Instead of being able to enjoy the silence as we work on our homework or try to get some sleep, we endure the yelps of the rat-like canines.
One day when I was walking through the quad I saw the offender taking her dogs out to relieve themselves. Not liking what I was seeing I suggested that she take her dogs to the small patch of grass in the corner of the parking lot next time. She responded with compliance and I thought that was the end of it. But lo and behold later that evening I see her out in the middle of the quad watching her dogs leave their mark.
To this girl in my complex, the cost of walking an additional 30 feet or even the cost of just picking up the waste did not yield her any extra benefits. She didn’t care that all of her ward members secretly resented her.
Well about a week ago this flyer appeared on everyone’s door stating that if a unit was found with a pet they would be charged $100 for each pet and charged additional fees to any damage done by the animals.
This is an example of a market not being able to reach a socially optimal outcome on its own. The necessity of government intervention (that is the Santa Barbara Homeowner’s Association and BYU Off Campus Housing) was made apparent when this young woman would not respond to the suggestions of her neighbors.
Woo. Go Econ. Making me think outside the classroom. Rude.
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