Erie council adopts tenant bill of rights after broad public comment and landlord concerns

City Council on a unanimous 7-0 vote on May first adopted an amendment to the city's rental housing code to codify tenant rights and landlord obligations.

The ordinance, recorded as Official Ordinance 33-20-25, amends the codified ordinances (article 3.54) to clarify rights under federal, state and local law for the landlord-tenant relationship. Sponsor Councilwoman Titus introduced the ordinance; Councilmember Flores seconded the motion. The measure passed with members Brzezinski, Flores, Nelson, Schauff, Titus, Troop and Witherspoon recorded as voting yes.

The vote came after more than an hour of public comment from renters, tenant advocates and landlords that highlighted competing priorities: tenants and community groups urged stronger enforcement and clarity, while multiple landlords and landlord-association representatives asked for clearer definitions and protections against abuse of the new rights.

Brandon Penn, president of the Northwest Apartment Association, told council he supported narrowing the language so the single-page tenant bill of rights, rather than the entire ordinance text, would be included with leases. "We as the association do appreciate the council amending the bill of rights to be clear that it's just that page document," Penn said, while urging changes to wording about "application fee" and adding a note that tenants should consult an attorney before withholding rent.

Several landlords including Joe Sell and Heather Manska described compliance costs tied to tenant screening, inspection-triggered repairs and ambiguous phrases such as "electrical system that meets safety requirements," saying such language could be difficult to interpret and raise costs for landlords. Joe Sell said code enforcement and inconsistent follow-up have left landlords uncertain about enforcement.

Tenant advocates and organizers, including Elizabeth Stanton of Erie County United and renters who said they lived in dilapidated housing, urged passage as a tool to hold negligent owners accountable. "Living in dilapidated housing is demoralizing," Stanton said during public comment.

Council members and staff said the ordinance before the council was a specific amendment that condensed language required in leases and that additional amendments remain under consideration. Council President Witherspoon clarified that the tenant bill of rights had been on the books in prior versions and that the council was voting on a particular amendment at this meeting.

Council and staff directed further work on implementation details: clarifying the terms "application fee" versus "hold deposit," refining language about rent withholding procedures and publishing explanatory materials. Staff also said they are pursuing renter education programs and will continue discussions with landlord groups.

The ordinance text amends section 3.54.0.5(b) of the codified ordinances; the council record lists the item as Council File 16-5-22.

Councilmembers and public commenters repeatedly stressed the role of inspections and follow-up. Several speakers asked the city to ensure the Bureau of Inspections and Unifications (BIU) and property maintenance staff coordinate on follow-up inspections so cited repairs are completed.

Council members said additional amendments addressing security deposit procedures, escrowed rent processes and clearer definitions would be considered in future legislation or administrative rules, and that education for tenants and landlords was a high priority.

The meeting record shows the ordinance passed unanimously; council and stakeholders said work remains to clarify specific terms and to implement outreach and education.