Finding common ground with Somerville

When Somerville changes mayors, Tufts will have a unique opportunity to work with the city on an issue which affects nearly every student during their career at Tufts. Somerville aldermen recognize that many renters in the area are students and that there is a problem with landlord responsibility. For its part, Tufts wants to make sure that its students are living in safe conditions. And students want to live in an apartment that is clean, affordable, and close to campus.

Tufts-area landlords do not have a good reputation among students for taking care of their properties. The city obviously has the same concerns, as it passed a resolution to create an absentee landlord taskforce. The resolution passed by the Somerville Board of Aldermen will make it more difficult for landlords to avoid necessary repairs or rent out unsafe and unsanitary living quarters. As we tragically saw last year, many buildings in the area do not reach any basic levels of safety. Other apartments are simply filthy. Anyone who walks into a number of houses on College Ave. can see walls that need to be painted, banisters and stairwells refurbished, and bathroom tiles and sinks replaced.

Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel is working closely with the city, and she should receive student backing on this issue. Students should make clear their concerns about off-campus housing so that she is aware and informed when she meets with the next mayor of Somerville.

Landlords who follow the rules will make students happier with their apartments. And even the landlords will benefit from the extra, but necessary, costs incurred. Students are more likely to treat a well-maintained apartment with respect, resulting in fewer maintenance and drywall repairs by the landlord. As the city, university, and students work together on the issue of negligent landlords, we can hope that dialogue will transfer to more contentious issues, such as parties and noise complaints.