Title
Renters’ Rights and Responsibilities (B)
Explanation
On April 2, 2019, the Subcommittee discussed this item and directed staff to proceed with the below motion (the staff response follows each part of the motion):
1) Motion: Send information about cities with arbitration/mediation programs. Staff response: On April 3, 2019, the City Attorney sent an email to the Subcommittee members (a copy of the email is in the back-up) with the requested information. If the Commission desires to move forward with such a program, the “action officer” described in part 7 below could administer such a program, provided the Commission adopted program guidelines and budgeted funds to contract with mediators to hear the disputes;
2) Motion: Reach out to landlord and tenant organizations to gather what a tenant bill of rights and responsibilities would look like, to be given out when a lease is signed. Staff Response: Staff met with interested organizations and they support the creation of an updated brochure that is delivered at lease signing. Some ideas for the brochure included, creating one brochure that contains links to Chapter 83, Florida Statutes, the “Rental Housing Code” and the “Renters Rights” rather than separate handouts for each; a link to a website with detailed information on renter’s rights, landlord assistance programs and how to contact the Action Officer, if such a position is created. The Subcommittee’s placard idea was also discussed and owner’s representatives were opposed to a mandatory placard on the back of the front door, but did support an informational refrigerator magnet.
3) Motion: Work with landlord/tenant organizations to craft an education program. Staff response: Staff met with interested organizations and Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors and others were willing to assist by creating videos (on topics such as fire prevention, being a good neighbor, treating your tenants fairly, good housekeeping practices, how...
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