PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia City Council member has agreed not to bring up two tenants’ rights bills for a vote at Thursday’s session as planned, because landlords sued. Instead, the bills will go back to committee.
Councilmember Nic O’Rourke sponsored the set of bills, called the Safe Healthy Homes Act, which would protect renters who complained about unsafe conditions and strengthen rules for keeping units in good repair.
A committee hearing on the renter protection legislation earlier this month turned into a raucous affair, as committee members voted to advance the bills — before dozens of small landlords had a chance to speak about the provisions that they say would put them out of business.
On Wednesday, two small landlords filed suit to stop the bills and asked for an injunction to prevent Thursday’s scheduled final vote. The city didn’t fight the injunction request, and it agreed to halt the vote, though the agreement stipulates no party admits any fault or legal violation.
The suit claims the committee that advanced the bill violated the state’s open meetings law (the Sunshine Act) and the city charter by discussing the bills in private and denying small landlords a chance to comment before the vote.
O’Rourke denies that the bills were discussed outside of the committee hearing and said he’s still committed to getting them passed.
“Today’s situation doesn’t deter me from strengthening the code so that renters — which darn near half the city is — actually have some meaningful protections,” he said. “I look forward to proceeding with ultimately taking the necessary steps to get protections for renters.”
The bills, among other things, seek to prevent landlords from refusing to extend the lease of a tenant who complains about poor conditions. Landlords argue that the bill’s reporting and notice requirements would make it hard to stay in business.