Tenants sue Philadelphia landlord in class action lawsuit
Residents of Bentley Manor, a 71-unit apartment building in West Oak Lane, Philadelphia, recently took legal action against their landlord, Odin Properties. The tenants banded together to file a class action lawsuit, claiming that Odin Properties unlawfully collected rent while the building was deemed an “unsafe structure.” The lawsuit, filed in the Common Pleas Court, accuses Odin Properties of continuing to collect rent for four months despite the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections declaring the property unsafe and in need of repairs.
According to the lawsuit, the Department of Licenses and Inspections found issues such as loose and missing bricks as well as a “leaning parapet” on the roof of the building, which led to the classification of the property as unsafe. Landlords in Philadelphia are not permitted to collect rent if their buildings are not compliant with safety and habitability standards. Odin Properties allegedly failed to appeal the 30-day notice it received to make the necessary repairs, thereby forfeiting its right to collect rent during this time.
Despite the property being deemed unsafe, Odin Properties allegedly continued to collect rent for four months after the initial determination by the city. The lawsuit demands that Odin Properties make the required repairs to the building and return the rent that was collected unlawfully during this period. In response to the allegations, Odin’s CEO, Philip Balderston, stated that the company takes any claims seriously and is carefully considering the allegations in the recent complaint.
Recent developments suggest that Odin may be preparing to make structural repairs to the building, as the company received a commercial building permit two weeks ago. Odin Properties, which manages over 1,500 apartments in Philadelphia, has a history of receiving complaints from tenants regarding living conditions. Last year, tenants held a protest organized by Renters United Philadelphia, demanding repairs at affordable apartments managed by Odin across its portfolio. This protest came after tenants petitioned for a rent and eviction freeze at all of Odin’s properties until the necessary repairs were made.
The lawsuit filed by the tenants of Bentley Manor sheds light on the challenges faced by renters in Philadelphia and the importance of ensuring that landlords maintain safe and habitable living conditions for their tenants. The legal action taken by the tenants against Odin Properties highlights the need for accountability and compliance with housing regulations to protect the rights and well-being of residents in rental properties.
