As our series of stories on home purchase and rental economics has shown, West Seattle is simply glowing red hot. One of the reasons is the escalating number of apartment buildings, often older ones that have units more affordable to middle- and low-income people, being converted to condominiums.

Because many apartment dwellers simply cannot afford to spend anywhere from $175,000 to nearly $450,000 for a unit that once rented for $600 to $750, these folks are forced to move. With an apartment vacancy rate of 2.7 percent, and rents soaring, the view for these working West Seattleites is bleak.

However, there is no doubt that some conversions are very good for many seeking to become home owners because many of these units are in a range they can afford. The immediate issue now may be the overheated mortgage market, but time should clear that away.

Although the cities of our county are more or less forced to become more dense, so that rural land can retain its character, the cities have very little actual control of condominium conversions. This means the city can do nothing about the sharply increasing number of apartments being unavailable to renters.

Washington state law controls conversions, not Seattle city ordinance. That law is more favorable to owners seeking to convert their rental units than many wish.

Last legislative session, City Councilman Tom Rasmussen, a West Seattle resident, attempted to get legislation that would temper conversions a bit. His proposal would have assisted low-income renters with the costs of moving and given them more notice from building owners on the need to buy or vacate their apartments.

Currently, renters get 90 days notice and $500 in moving allowance, an amount considered woefully low in current economic circumstances.

Rasmussen says he will try again.

"I am confident we can agree upon legislation that balances the rights of property owners and the need to help people who are impacted by the conversions," he says.

We believe in the rights of owners to do with their property what they want, in most cases. The quality of some older buildings as viable and saleable units is a question that the free market can adjudicate. Government should stay out of basic economics in property rights.

We have an overheated market now, but the time is sure to come when it cools, even becomes cold again.

With that said, we strongly urge that Rasmussen's proposals get favorable look from our Legislature. While owners have rights of ownership, tenants have rights, too.

Often renters, some who have inhabited an apartment for years and have fixed incomes, are forced out in a mere 90 days or have their rents vastly increased on a whim of owners to figure a high rent increase will accomplish vacation of a unit faster than 90 days.

If this city is to not become the horror of rich and homeless only San Francisco, we must act and act soon. We hope that action takes place during the 2008 session and we hope that whatever action is taken, keep in mind the rights of both renters and owners.

- Jack Mayne