proposed ordinance must be made available to tenants in Spanish.
Commissioner Howard acknowledged that state law is what is informing the
proposed ordinance and reiterated the importance of tenant protections when
considering the better financial position that a property owner is in.
Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi advised that the City may not require
landlords to provide leases and lease addendums to their tenants in Spanish.
Commissioner Howard responded that this modification be accommodated only if
feasible.
Commissioner Howe noted that the proposed ordinance may negatively impact
operators of smaller rental properties and inhibit others from becoming landlords.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Howe proposed a friendly amendment to
specify that a tenant can agree to waive their right to relocation assistance, equal to
two months of rent, in exchange for other accommodations provided by the property
owner (e.g., storage for their household items, differential rental payment for
temporary lodging, guarantee that the tenant may return to their unit under the same
lease terms, etc.), and any such arrangement must be memorialized in a written
agreement signed by the tenant and their property owner.
FORMAL AMENDMENT: Commissioner Weiss moved and Commissioner Serrone
seconded the motion to exempt owner-occupied duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes
from the tenant protections requirements posed by the proposed ordinance.
Commissioner Weiss stated that there is a difference between property owners who
live in the properties they rent out and large real estate investors. For this reason,
she emphasized the importance of distinct requirements for tenant protections
offered by different property owners of various property types.
Commissioner Serrone spoke in agreement with comments made by Commissioner
Weiss. He added that neighboring cities have a similar exemption in place already.
Commissioner Howard shared his concerns that such an exemption might further
complicate the comprehensibility of the proposed ordinance especially among
populations that do not speak English as a first language, if at all.
Chair Pyne voiced his agreement with concerns expressed by Commissioner
Howard and stated he is not entirely in agreement with the categorization of
neighboring cities.