Behavior plan not popular with landlords

By LISA HAARLANDER
Collegian Staff Writer

Just as students are concerned about where they can live and how many of them can live there, landlords are worried about an ordinance that would hold them financially responsible for their tenants' behavior.

The ordinance is part of RENU -- Ratio, Enforcement, Neighborhoods and University -- the State College Planning Commission's proposed solution to the rental housing problem. The measure would bill landlords, after a warning, if their tenants repeatedly required municipal services, such as the police.

"I simply, as a landlord, can't be everywhere watching everyone," said Ginny Chuba, Centre Region Residential Owners Association president. "They are adults . . . Their parents are not legally responsible for them anymore, but we're going to hold the landlord legally responsible."

Chuba said she opposes the ordinance because neither the police nor the district magistrate's office, 1524 W. College Ave., can release tenants' names because it violates their privacy.

"The only way this office could help you is if you knew the person's name," magistrate office supervisor Linda Yorks said. With a name, the staff can check the records for the last two years.

However Rae Chambers, College Heights Neighborhood Association president, said she didn't think

landlords needed to get tenants' names from the police.

"I can't believe that a landlord, if he or she is sincere, can't identify such a person," she said. "If a landlord can't, he or she isn't on the premise enough."

Chambers suggested asking neighbors or other tenants who was causing the problem.

While not a problem, Undergraduate Student Government President Mike King said he is uneasy with the ordinance and wants more details. King will address the State College Borough Council Monday night when the planning commission presents the RENU plan.

Steve Brzozowski, USG Department of Town Affairs president, who is working with King, said he favors a housing solution that cracks down on students who repeatedly cause problems as well as absentee landlords.

"I think there is a problem with some absentee landlords because they don't do the property maintenance," he said. "If a landlord doesn't repect and care for their property, then the students won't either."

This issue affects most students because 60 percent -- 26,000 -- live off campus, said Forest Wortham, assistant director of off-campus living. He estimated that more than 10,000 students live between College and Beaver avenues, bounded by University Drive and Atherton Street.

"It's packed," he said.

Like Chuba, Wortham also dislikes the ordinance because it penalizes property owners for tenants' behavior.

"I think the town and the students need to work together," he said. "It's about learning how to live in the community."