Residents of Pelham Place in Ghent told the Norfolk City Council they were given less than a week’s notice that many leases would not be renewed after the property was sold, and they asked city leaders on the meeting dais to press the new owner for more time and transparency. "My lease expired 06/30/2025, but I wasn't notified of the exact date until June 24, only 6 days prior," said Robin Perkins, identifying herself as a member of the New Virginia Majority Tenant Association at Pelham Place.

The tenants said the short notice left families facing sudden rent increases or displacement. Tenant leaders requested three actions: that the new owner extend nonrenewal and rent-increase notice to at least 180 days beginning Oct. 31, 2025; that the new owner meet directly with the Pelham Place Tenant Association; and that council members visit the property. "We deserve to know what's coming, not live in constant uncertainty," Perkins said.

Why it matters: tenants and their supporters said Pelham Place is a 74-unit affordable complex where residents have built a close-knit community and that sudden nonrenewals could cause financial hardship, school disruption and displacement. Several speakers amplified that message. "Pelham Place is more than an apartment complex. It's a thriving community," said Lizbeth Cheruboga, who urged council members to see the property in person.

Council and staff responses: City staff and the city attorney clarified limits on what city government can require. City counsel told the council it does not have legal authority to force a new owner to meet with tenants or to mandate more than the statutory notice period. The city manager's office said deed recordation typically appears first at the circuit court clerk's office and that recorded deeds are picked up by the city's real estate assessor; staff said the circuit court clerk's office usually records deeds within 48 hours of closing.

Tenant details and legal reference: Speakers cited Virginia Code section 55.1‑1302 (statute cited in public remarks as "55.1 dash 13 o 2"), saying a lease of one year or more automatically renews unless a party gives at least 60 days' notice. Tenants said many were placed on month‑to‑month leases in June and therefore are vulnerable to short-term nonrenewal notices. "Rent hikes displace working families, uproot kids from schools, and strain city resources," said David Brafman, who described himself as a Tidewater resident.

Next steps requested: Tenants asked the council to encourage the buyer to adopt the 180‑day notice and to meet with residents, and they invited all council members to tour Pelham Place. City staff suggested the public can confirm ownership by checking recordation at the circuit court clerk's office or the real estate assessor’s records, but also noted that purchases can be recorded under LLC names that may not immediately reveal an operating owner's identity.

Discussion vs. decision: The council did not adopt a binding policy or a formal directive during the meeting; staff described recordation procedures and the city attorney explained the council's legal limits. Council members said they would seek more information and follow up with the clerk and assessor about the recorded deed.

Ending: Tenants and supporters urged immediate engagement from the council and the buyer to avoid sudden displacement. Council members were asked to visit Pelham Place and to facilitate a meeting between the new owner and the tenant association; no legally binding obligation for the new owner was adopted during the meeting.