"Right to Renew" and "Good Cause," What you need to know

In July, the Ithaca Tenants Union (ITU) met with local tenants to discuss what rights tenants need to have more power in local housing laws. Out of the meeting, ITU created the Right to Renew legislation.

"Right to Renew" gives tenants more control, now giving them the option to renew their lease as opposed to landlords, who have had and still have the last say in whether a tenant gets to renew their lease.

Under "Right to Renew," tenants are now protected from being evicted without good cause. With ITU's bill, tenants are protected from eviction except in certain cases, such as unpaid rent, and if they use the rented space for illegal usage that don't include nonviolent drug crimes.

The ITU introduced the bill in front of the common council in August. Another bill was introduced to the council which was already implemented in Albany. This bill, titled "Prohibition of Eviction without Good Cause," focuses on the eviction side of rental housing, listing what is and isn't identified as good cause for evicting a tenant.

After discussing the two bills in the August meeting, the common council voted to advance

the Good Cause bill. Both the "Right to Renew" and the "Good Cause" bills can be found here in the common council's August Agenda.

AugustAgenda.pdf

Download PDF • 4.55MB

1st ward alderperson Cynthia Brock took the Albany "Good Cause" bill and altered it to fit Ithaca better. After discussing the amendments in the common council meeting on Sep. 15, the bill was released for circulation and public input.

SeptemberAgenda.pdf

Download PDF • 7.89MB

This month, however, there has appeared to be confusion and backlash towards Brock on her bill from the ITU. Sarah Curless, a member of ITU wrote a letter to The Ithaca Voice expressing her and other's concerns for Brock's bill.

Brock stated that the "Right to Renew" bill from the ITU was never voted to advance on in the legislation process. After looking at the meetings from August, September and October, only the "Good Cause" bill is seen and not the ITU bill. Brock expressed that she does not understand the confusion nor the backlash she is receiving. She continues though to work on the bill's success.

Brock mentioned that she is open to talking and working with tenants to ensure that the "Prohibition on Eviction without Good Cause" protects the rights of both tenants and landlords, as both are important in the community. She also mentioned working with new council member, Patrick Mehler, on details of the bill.

Published on Oct. 24, 2021 by Forth.