Columbus passes 3 new LL ordinances: sec 8, deposits, reciepts

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The "Housing for All" legislative package containing 3 ordinances affecting rental housing providers was passed by city council: 

• Ordinance 0494-2021:  Landlords cannot discriminate on housing vouchers, the rent voucher or subsidy must be included in the calculation of income. 
• Ordinance 0495-2021:  Operators with 5 or more units are required to allow security deposits to be made in monthly installments over up to 6 months
• Ordinance 0496-2021: Landlords are required to give written receipts for all security deposits and rent payments

Thus, no more "no section 8" or "not section 8 approved" listings in your rental ad. 

A landlord found guilty of refusing to rent based on source of income would be guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. 

As for the security deposits, the legislative text explains that operators are required to provide written notice of security deposit payment alternatives, including a 3 month installment or a 6 month installment. (I am not sure why there are two alternatives) A landlord found guilty of violating this is a misdemeanor of the 4th degree.

The written receipt requirement covers security deposits and rental payments, and the reciept must be provided within 4 business days if otherwise not automatically generated. If payments are through an online portal or service, the tenant has to be able to obtain a written reciept through that service.  (I assume a screenshot or printout of a transaction history page would count?) . A violation of this ordinance would also be a 4th degree misdemeanor. 

The Columbus Urban League will investigate complaints regarding violations of the new policies.

I don't have more information on how exactly these are to be interpreted, and if services such as Rhino count for the installment ordinance. 

Articles:

https://www.dispatch.com/story...

https://abc6onyourside.com/new...

Ordinances: (click "Text" tab and then "click here for full text" at the bottom.

0494: https://columbus.legistar.com/...

0495: https://columbus.legistar.com/...

0496: https://columbus.legistar.com/...

[Allen Tracy]

Thanks for the update, I remember reading about these a few months back, didn't know they had passed.