The State College Borough Council didn't protect students with a student status clause in the Fair Housing Ordinance, but now they have a second chance to show that they are interested in protecting the students.

In some parts of the state, apartment dwellers who face unsatisfactory or unsafe living conditions -- such as lack of heat, water or broken windows -- have the option to deny landlords rent until the problems are fixed.

Pennsylvania's Rent Witholding Act allows such tenants to place their rent in an escrow account until landlords make necessary repairs. The act, however, does not apply in State College because only cities fall within its guidelines. This leaves State College tenants no recourse for unbearable -- sometimes even unsafe -- living conditions.

But borough council has the power to pass an ordinance that would give borough renters the right to withold their rent until repairs are made.

There is no logical argument against giving renters this opportunity. The renter still has to come up with the rent money -- the landlords just don't get it until they earn it. Also, since the money is placed in escrow, it accrues no interest.

Under this format, no one has an unfair advantage. The landlord gets the rent, and the tenant gets the necessary repairs.

Most renters must pay a security deposit before they move in -- and they don't get the money back if the apartment is damaged when they move out. Security deposits act as a sort of insurance policy to protect the landlords from property damage. Renters should be afforded the same luxury.

Borough council could finally do something that would protect students -- this time from being ripped off by negligent landlords.

The council already neglected student interests by excluding student status from the fair housing ordinance. They should avoid making the same mistake twice.