New legistlation's effects prompt concerns

New legislation being drafted in Medford and Somerville has prompted concern amongst Tufts students and local landlords about its effects on rent prices, legal rights, and safety. The new legislation will require official inspections when landlords rent their buildings to new tenants.

The legislation -- written in response to the death of a Tufts student after a fire in an illegal loft last month -- would require all landlords to arrange an official inspection of the premises with the Building Commissioner at a cost of $75. An inspection would take place each time new tenants moved into the building, and a fine of $100 would be charged for each day that the tenants lived in an un-inspected building.

Some disagreement about the perceived effectiveness of the inspections has arisen. Sophomore Hilary Van Dusen, who is currently seeking off campus housing for next year, feels that a mandatory inspection will help keep her safe.

"It will look for things that I don't necessarily know to look for," she said.

"People cannot live in some of these places," said Allison Bedwinek, a sophomore who has already signed a lease for a house next year. "Students are looking for cheap places," she said, and might not know what to look for in terms of safety.

However, some landlords feel that the inspections are punishing them for a wrongdoing they are not responsible for. "It's just unfortunate because of a tragedy where someone did something illegal, and we all have to pay," said George Silvestro, a Medford landlord. "I have 12 units in this city and all mine are up to code."

Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn feels the legislation is necessary, despite the additional hassle landlords might feel it causes. "I'm sure landlords aren't going to be pleased, it's another step they have to go through," McGlynn told the Daily last week when he announced the legislation. "But I think those who care about public safety should welcome the ordinance. Let's face it _ people who are renting those structures around Tufts are getting substantial rents."

Other property owners feel that the new ordinance would be a means for the city to protect itself against future legal issues. "If they were doing their job they would have known there was an apartment there," a Somerville landlord who asked to remain anonymous said.

The new legislation might actually work to the advantage of local landlords, who would be less likely to suffer from lawsuits if something went wrong with the house. "If the house passes inspection then it's probably my fault if there were a fire," Van Dusen said.

Disagreement over who should pay the $75 fee for the inspection has also arisen, especially among students. "I really think the landlord should pay it. Because I think it's the landlord's responsibility if the place is falling apart," Bedwinek said.

Van Dusen felt the same, although she noted that the extra security would be worth the price. "In terms of safety, I think my parents would feel a lot better knowing that the inspection took place, so they might be willing to pay it," Van Dusen said.

But Silvestro feels that costs will inevitably be passed on to renters. "Obviously that's where it's going to end up," Silvestro said. "Increases are going to be passed on to tenants. It's just like anything else where cost goes up."

Most students and local landlords agreed that the new cost would not prevent students from moving off campus, and that a decreased interest in off-campus housing would not occur. "Is a $75 going to change whether you take an apartment or not? Being in business myself, I would say no," said Sam Bihni, a Medford landlord.

Landlords and students alike understand that the demand for off campus housing could not decrease, due to the lack of on campus housing. "Being close to Tufts it doesn't really affect the rents as much. You have the students there. If they need a place and they want to be near Tufts then they're going to have to be there," Silvestro said.

Bedwinek felt that rent prices would not be affected by the new costs, given the "exorbitant" prices that are already being charged.

She feels that demand for housing remains high in Medford and Somerville because of the Tufts students. "I think they're just taking advantage of the fixed market here," she said of the landlords who hike up rents.

The University should put more of an effort into purchasing the property near campus, Bedwinek said. This way the University might be able to enforce its own inspection regulations to keep students safe.

Van Dusen said that her choice to move off campus was based on the living arrangement available in a house. "I want to be able to cook and stuff but if they had more dorms with kitchens, like Latin Way, then maybe it would be different," Van Dusen said.