HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s cost of living is on the rise, but state Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17) and Jimmy Dillon (D-5) are fighting back. They recently introduced Senate Bill 1095, a measure designed to enforce fair rental practices and protect tenants from excessive and unreasonable rent increases.
The proposed legislation outlines specific provisions aimed at balancing the scales of the rental market. It proposes a 10% cap on rental increases for tenants residing in a unit for over a year. New tenants will also be protected, with rental increases being limited to 15% from the previous tenant’s rate. This balance ensures landlords respond reasonably to market forces, regardless of whether they are renting to new or existing tenants.
Certain exceptions are in place under Senate Bill 1095. Dormitories, new constructions for the next decade, landlords who extend reduced rent via federal, state, or local programs, and landlords owning less than 15 residential rental units are exempted from the regulations.
Senator Cappelletti elucidated the spirit of the legislation, stating, “Everyone deserves a home where they can feel safe, healthy, and at peace. A stable home is an invaluable asset to our lives. We need policies like this one to make that mission a reality.”
The statistics illustrate the strain on Pennsylvanians. Currently, there are over 1.5 million renter households in Pennsylvania. With the state’s minimum wage at $7.25 an hour, a tenant must work an overwhelming 106 hours in a week to afford a modest 1-bedroom rental home at Fair Market Rent. That’s more than 60% of the available hours in a week, leaving little time for basic necessities such as sleep, meals, and rest.
This legislation hopes to provide a semblance of relief, empowering Pennsylvanians with more control over their living situation, and incentivizing wise financial decision-making.
Senator Dillon emphasizes that the new legislation isn’t aimed at small landlords, who are often working towards their retirement or funding their children’s education through rental income. Instead, the real target is large-scale corporate landlords known for their excessive rent demands during uncertain financial times. According to Dillon, their focus on profit often overshadows the welfare of the renting families.
The real-life impacts of the lack of affordable housing are not lost on the senators. Mauro Chiapinni, a 67-year-old resident of Senate District 17, shared his struggles in trying to keep up with rising costs on a fixed income.
Senator Kane (D-9), a co-sponsor of the legislation, relayed a personal account from Larry, an 85-year-old Philadelphian. Larry and his wife are growing increasingly concerned about their ability to afford their home following several rent hikes over the last five years. Stories like Larry’s are sadly commonplace. For many Pennsylvanians, the rising cost of living is outpacing their ability to keep a roof over their heads.
This legislation aims to address these pertinent issues in the Commonwealth. The bill isn’t just about rental caps; it also seeks to establish a Rent Control Advisory Board. This board, with representatives from various stakeholders in the rental industry, including landlords, tenants, housing developers, and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, will meet every six months to evaluate the legislation’s impact on all parties involved.
Senate Bill 1095, known as the Statewide Rental Rate Protections bill, has strong backing from Democratic Senators across Pennsylvania. It is currently under review by the Urban Affairs and Housing Committee.
While the journey for fair rent and landlord accountability is long, this legislation signals a newfound hope. For the millions of renter households in Pennsylvania, Senate Bill 1095 could be a step toward the financial stability and peace they so desperately need.
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