An excellent start

The proposal drafted by Mayors Dorothy Kelly Gay and Michael McGlynn in conjunction with the University is a solid foundation for the future of monitoring off-campus housing at Tufts. It recognizes the need for regular inspections of the houses in the area and holds all landlords responsible for ensuring that tenants are living in a safe building. The proposal would not be complete without the necessary measure of putting the names of negligent landlords in Tufts' hands. If passed, students will have some peace of mind, knowing that their homes have been properly inspected and that their landlords are finally being held completely accountable.

The fact that some area landlords are worried about the cost of the inspection is nothing short of absurd. Property values in the Tufts area have increased exponentially over the past few years, and landlords are collecting more rent money than ever, without increasing the quality of the buildings that they are renting. Many students are paying $700 a month to live in drafty houses that have not been properly cared for in years. Surely the landlords can sacrifice $75 to $150 a year for the safety of their tenants, who generally don't ask for much. After all, adults with families would never pay so much rent to live in houses in this condition.

The Administration should be commended for publicly joining forces with Gay and McGlynn in this effort, but this is only the beginning. Legislation should not replace a proactive response from the Office of Off-Campus Housing (OCH) and the Residential Life Office. Despite the promise of formal inspections, students should still demand to have easier access to the information necessary for living off campus safely. Furthermore, if the proposal is passed by Medford and Somerville city councils, OCH will have to be extremely diligent about providing the list of landlords who have failed to meet the standards set by the new legislation.

The Tufts community can only hope that the city councils pass the proposal. Without the power of the law, solving the problem of safety in off-campus housing will be far more difficult, if not downright impossible.