Opinion: Philly landlords should embrace new legislation, not fight it

On June 3, Philadelphia City Council will hold a hearing on the Safe Healthy Homes Act. Introduced by Councilmember At-Large Nicolas O’Rourke, the Safe Healthy Homes Act would add “muscles” and “teeth” to Philadelphia’s Housing Code. This package of bills will increase enforcement of existing laws’ strengthen renters’ rights to repairs, safety, and relocation, and make it easier to hold negligent landlords accountable. 

The bills are supported by a broad coalition, including One PA, Renters United Philadelphia and Philly Thrive, whose tenant members were heavily involved in shaping the legislation. As a small landlord and Philadelphia resident, I want to add my voice in support of this critical legislation and urge other small landlords to do the same.

City councilmembers have heard from landlord lobbyists in opposition to this act, but lobbyists don’t speak for all small landlords. Take it from a landlord who has read every word of the Safe Healthy Homes Act: Good landlords need not worry.

In the past few weeks, I’ve been advocating for this act. I have spoken to other small landlords, and most of them agree with me. We understand that the city’s current weak enforcement regime unfairly rewards noncompliant, out-of-state landlords who cut costs by failing to keep their rental properties up to code. 

For those who already comply with the city’s basic rental safety laws, this act actually helps us by closing the loopholes that corporate, out-of-state landlords rely on to maximize their profits and collect rent while maintaining, in some cases, appalling living conditions.

It’s no secret that some of the city’s most notorious corporate landlords often fail to comply with the law. The current system makes it easy for them to get away with it, which can lead to inhumane and, at times, even deadly conditions for tenants. The lack of enforcement of basic standards rewards landlords who view housing as merely a commodity, rather than a fundamental human right. This system needs to be changed. 

When tenants living in these conditions come together to advocate for themselves and hold landlords accountable, some landlords retaliate against them. The act tries to address this problem through improved anti-retaliation provisions. 

Respectable landlords can and should support the creation of the anti-displacement fund included in the act. This fund will ensure that tenants have the resources to relocate if they are displaced when the Department of Licenses and Inspections determines that their building requires major repairs. 

It also means supporting proactive inspections and rental license provisions in the Safe Healthy Homes Act, which ensure that all landlords follow the existing code and keep tenants in safe conditions.

There are already systems in place to help landlords when we need support with repairs. For example, small landlords can apply for a forgivable repair loan through the Rental Improvement Fund. Moreover, research suggests that it is large, corporate landlords, who own 50% of rentals in Philadelphia, who are more likely to leave their properties in disrepair, not small landlords. It’s time that the landowners benefiting from these systems speak up for tenants who don’t have the same protections.

Property ownership has been a source of stability for me as I’ve weathered periods of unemployment and years of graduate school. I am fortunate to have a rental property as an additional source of income, but many of my neighbors are not so lucky. I care about my community and my city, and I want everyone to feel as stable as I do. That’s why I believe that landlords should support all of our neighbors by advocating for tenant protections. 

While tenants are organizing to pass the Safe Healthy Homes Act, good landlords can take this opportunity to act in solidarity with tenants by speaking up in support. Good landlords have every reason to support this legislation, and it is critical that we lend our voice to the fight.