Philadelphia tenant "protection" and screening limitation

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Real Estate Forum
5yFollow

Philadelphia tenant "protection" and screening limitation

Yuriy Skripnichenko
Property Manager · Phialdelphia, PA · Member since 2017 · 509 posts · 627 votes

Hi all, 

Your thoughts on this? 

Philadelphia City Council "surprises" landlords once again.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Kendra Brooks’ push to limit landlords use of tenants’ eviction records passed City Council Thursday 16-1. Councilmember David Oh was the lone opposition.

“Just like the job application process, every person has the right to be fairly evaluated when applying for rental housing,” Brooks said. “As Philadelphians recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic, these bills will ensure everyone has a fair chance at securing housing. With these bills, Philadelphia is continuing to set a nationwide precedent in protecting the rights and dignity of renters.”

Click here to read the full article from WHYY or Click here to find the bill 

6Reply
17 views

Most Popular Reply

Sheryl Sitman
Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 476 posts · 360 votes
5y

I have a call with Councilperson Kendra Brooks this week to discuss.  Reach out to politicians and make your voice and experiences heard.


Philadelphia City Council: https://phlcouncil.com/

6Reply
See this reply in the discussion

12 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Kevin MoyerBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 269 posts · 301 votes
    5y

    Like most of these laws (screening 'protections', bedbugs, lead testing, etc) I think the intentions are good- but the end result will be the opposite of what they're trying to achieve. 

    Higher cost/risk requires higher return for investors. So you'll either see 

    1) higher rents to compensate investment, 

    2) renting on the 'black market' to avoid regulatory cost, or 

    3) the investment capital will simply go to more investor-friendly areas. 

    When money goes elsewhere, rehab and maintenance can't happen. When rehab and maintenance can't happen, you have even further degradation of the most vulnerable communities in Philly. 

    But at least it makes for a nice press release for Council...

    Otter Property Management4.8624 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    5Reply
  • Sheryl Sitman
    Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 476 posts · 360 votes
    5y

    I have a call with Councilperson Kendra Brooks this week to discuss.  Reach out to politicians and make your voice and experiences heard.


    Philadelphia City Council: https://phlcouncil.com/

    6Reply
    • Yuriy Skripnichenko
      OP
      Property Manager · Phialdelphia, PA · Member since 2017 · 509 posts · 627 votes
      5y
      Originally posted by @Sheryl Sitman:

      I have a call with Councilperson Kendra Brooks this week to discuss.  Reach out to politicians and make your voice and experiences heard.


      Philadelphia City Council: https://phlcouncil.com/

      @Sheryl Sitman

      That is great! 

      I think most people do not know how or for what reasons they may contact representatives and other elected officials.

      It may be helpful if you can share how to find and contact a politician for us who do not know. Where to go to find the correct person and how to contact them etc.

      Cheers, 

      Yuriy 

      2Reply
  • Account Closed
    Member since 2021 · 9 posts · 3 votes
    4y

    Longer processing times

    Potentially higher competition via larger tenant pools

    Higher rent

    Moving "up market" and avoiding owning high risk properties

    Moving out of the city limits

    Moving out of the asset class ENTIRELY (at least in the USA) as the last year was a complete usurpation of private property by the state and given the increasing anti-landlord and anti-property rights sentiment in the USA. 

    Exit strategy? BlackRock is NOT buying all of the homes as the Wall Street Journal article suggested. However, given the above, seems like an attractive option for the weary landlord and perhaps renters would prefer to deal with sophisticated institutional investors with deep pockets and dedicated legal teams.


    "Go where you're treated best"

    0Reply
  • Ned CareyPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

        “Just like the job application process, every person has the right to be fairly evaluated when applying for rental housing,” Brooks said.

    Exactly and just like a job if you have been fired that will be a strike against you. 

    2Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    4y

    @Yuriy Skripnichenko and @Sheryl Sitman I am curious if you have any updates based on conversations with the city council? 

    Here is a better solution for the council members. How about they offer a program for evicted tenants funded by the city. The city agrees to post a bond for landlords who accept evicted tenants equal to four times rent. If the previously evicted tenant doesn't pay rent, the landlord can use that money to cover lost rent and eviction costs. Assuming the city council is correct and their second chance program works, it will not cost the city any money. This protects people and protect landlords. It may even make previously evicted tenants more desirable because the bond reduces risk for the landlord. The council members need to understand, there is more than one way to solve a problem. The problem is their mentality seeks to punish wealthy, which they believe all landlords are wealthy. They are not. Over half of small multifamily is owned by mom and pop operators with just a couple properties. It could be some ethnically diverse family in Philly who kept their parents house as a rental to help pay for their kid to be a first generation college graduate. They are hurting people in their community and holding them down. I believe those 16 council members are trying to do the right thing, they are just creating negative consequences that will further spiral the city. The good news is they could add this bond program on top of the tenant protection, so they can make this right. 

    4Reply
  • Ned CareyPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    Vote @Joe Splitrock for city council!

    1Reply
  • Alex Uman
    Investor · Montgomery County, PA · Member since 2020 · 255 posts · 238 votes
    4y

    @Joe Splitrock provides a reasonable and realistic solution that would benefit both landlords and previously evicted tenants. For those reasons the Philly City Council would never consider such a proposal.

    1Reply
  • Yuriy Skripnichenko
    OP
    Property Manager · Phialdelphia, PA · Member since 2017 · 509 posts · 627 votes
    4y
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:

    @Yuriy Skripnichenko and @Sheryl Sitman I am curious if you have any updates based on conversations with the city council? 

    At this point it too late to have conversations with the city council unless if you are ready to fight and have some changes to the enacted bill. The bill came into effect on October 15th...

    Cheers, 

    Yuriy 

    2Reply
  • Sheryl Sitman
    Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 476 posts · 360 votes
    4y

    I still believe that there is room for housing providers to influence existing legislation and it is never too late. I have taken the approach of trying, in the little time I can dedicate to it, to build relationships with whomever will listen. So, for example, the Philadelphia City Council people behind this particular legislation have shared information with me and asked for my feedback and input. As soon as you make it clear you are interested in good solutions for all and not slinging insults and making baseless comments in anger, they tend to at the least, listen. Going head to head and anger will not work. So when I see the constant flow of senseless legislation, assumptions. accusations around Philly landlording topics, I count to 100, take time to understand where the other side is coming from and share my opinions and concerns in a respectful way.  Will it change anything? I have no idea. I'm definitely newer at all this than most people who have been involved but i did manage to get the ear of several politicians. Helps running an active Philly landlord group on Facebook as well.

    1Reply
  • Yuriy Skripnichenko
    OP
    Property Manager · Phialdelphia, PA · Member since 2017 · 509 posts · 627 votes
    4y

    @Sheryl Sitman

    I love your approach. I wish I could say I did my part in contacting the City Council. I had a few attempts in the past and never heard back from them. Any tips on the best way of reaching out and talk to them or have them listen? 

    Cheers, 

    Yuriy 

    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free