Double Dipping

In Kevin Postema’s “Apartment Life” column of June 2 he stated an owner is allowed to raise the rent if the owner replaces a carpet. While this may be law, one fact that is overlooked is that the owner is allowed by the IRS to depreciate the cost of the carpet over its useful life. At the end of this period the owner theoretically has accumulated the cash to purchase another new carpet.

It seems to me that the owner is gaining by a tax deduction and a rent increase at the same time. One or the other should be eliminated. One of the great advantages of owning income-producing property is the depreciation allowance. One should not have it both ways.

SHIGEO YUGE

Los Angeles