Philadelphia landlords oppose the bills<\/p>\n
During Monday\u2019s hearing, tenants urged the committee to again pass legislation they say will help improve the lives of low-income residents across Philadelphia, most of whom cannot afford to move when their apartment becomes uninhabitable.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThese bills are the bare minimum for landlords to follow,\u201d said Theresa Howell, a member of OnePA Renters United Philadelphia, which helped craft the legislation.\n<\/p>\n
Landlords and property managers told lawmakers they support the bills\u2019 intent but raised concerns about unintended consequences they said they\u2019ll have on their businesses. Several suggested technical changes to the legislation that they say would help mitigate those concerns.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe title of the bill is great \u2026 but the language needs work,\u201d said Seth Floyd, a longtime landlord and realtor.\n <\/p>\n
Lev Kravinsky, CEO of the Lindy Communities Company, argued the legislation will inadvertently harm law-abiding landlords facing administrative delays who are making a \u201cgood faith\u201d effort to cure code violations at their properties. For example, he said the city\u2019s Department of Licenses and Inspections often takes weeks to clear violations due to scheduling constraints \u2014 violations that can prevent a landlord from being able to legally collect rent.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI urge the council members present today to hold these bills until they can be amended so as not to upend the property management industry. I truly believe that protecting tenants is not at odds with regulating property management,\u201d said Kravinsky, who\u2019s also the secretary for the Pennsylvania Apartment Association.\n<\/p>\n
O\u2019Rourke said the bill addresses this issue with a \u201csafe harbor\u201d provision meant to protect landlords against being penalized when the city is to blame.\n<\/p>\n