Rochester Approves Tenant Protections

Rochester, New York adopted the “strongest possible version” of the state’s Good Cause eviction protections, reports Gino Fanelli for WXXI News.

“Prior to the vote, Council members amended the bill to exempt only those landlords who own a single rental unit– instead of those owning fewer than 10, as was initially proposed. That move matches other cities around the state that have voted to opt into Good Cause and vastly reduces the number of units exempt from Good Cause protections.”

The law caps rent increases at 10 percent and allows tenants to renew their leases except in the event of nonpayment, nuisances, and violations of a lease agreement. “Three companion bills were also approved Tuesday night: one to lead an education campaign for both tenants and landlords, one to issue a request for qualifications for an organization to study the effects of Good Cause, and another to create a taskforce to oversee the implementation of the law.”