…doesn’t mean we can’t do better in Pottstown.
Act 90, 2010 provides powerful new tools to put an end to housing injustice. But unless the law is implemented residents are doomed to remain victims of a system that favors slumlords.
click on “Judicial” to link to the PA State Judical and Local Govt. code
JUDICIAL CODE (42 PA.C.S.) AND GENERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE (53 PA.C.S.) – COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS, AUTHORIZING HOUSING COURTS, DETERIORATED REAL PROPERTY EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR JUDGES AND NEIGHBORHOOD BLIGHT RECLAMATION AND REVITALIZATION
Act of Oct. 27, 2010, P.L. 875, No. 90
§ 917. Housing courts.
(a) Establishment.–The court of common pleas of a judicial district may establish, from available funds, a housing court which shall have jurisdiction as provided under subsection (d). The court may adopt local rules for the administration of housing courts and their related services such as housing clinics to counsel code violators on their responsibilities and procedures to bring properties into code compliance. The local rules may not be inconsistent with this section or any rules established by the Supreme Court.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts may develop and implement annual and ongoing education and training programs for judges, including magisterial district judges, regarding the laws of this Commonwealth relating to deteriorated real property and the economic impact that such properties have upon municipalities.
State, County, Local Officials and the municipal courts must be encouraged to implement Act 90. Housing safety and insecurity is a nefarious plague on Pottstown.
(2) These deteriorated properties create public nuisances which have an impact on crime and the quality of life of our residents and require significant expenditures of public funds in order to abate and correct the nuisances.
“When you have code violations and tenants withhold their rent lawfully because of these violations and then are evicted, it calls into question the whole system,” Liz Hersch said.
PA Landlord/Tenant Law/Implied Warranty of Habitability
“Maybe we should call it the pre-homeless court or the landlord court. It’s definitely not the tenant’s court.”
http://articles.philly.com/1996-05-10/business/25626854_1_eviction-cases-rent-and-court-costs-landlord-court
Kendra paid her rent every month. She paid for the previous tenants water, sewer, trash at the insistence of Charles Watson who has never, at any time, provided her with the actual statement of charges from the Authority yet he also sued Kendra for authority payments. To keep the roof over her head she complied. She has kept careful records of every penny given to Watson and, in return, he’s been given more money than he deserves under the law and…
Charles has repeatedly received impunity for his miserable business acumen, breaking local and state laws.
License and Inspections Department will have their day in court too. We want them to be successful, we want Charles Watson stopped now.
Kendra’s chances of finding safe, affordable rental housing in Pottstown are very slim. She and her children will be forced to move during the holiday season with cold icy weather forecasted this winter. Kendra will most likely end up with another slum property owner. This judgement will scar her credit rating and she will be forced to repeat this tragic scenario until she can no longer afford to supplement the slum people in Pottstown. Then, she will be homeless.
409 Beech St. is a dangerous trap that awaits the next victim. Purchased in 2005 for $49,000 by Charles Watson, 6 W. 6th St. Bridgeport, PA…
The taxes are some of the lowest I’ve seen in Pottstown @ $1,700 per year. He did not register the house with L & I before renting to Kendra, he has NO local property manager as required in the Housing Ordinance and Watson has a history of municipal liens throughout Montgomery County, most recently 5/2014 in Pottstown, and…
A Commonwealth lien was also placed against a property of his.
His civil history suggests anything but responsible property management. Why aren’t these infractions taken into consideration in Landlord/Tenant court?
It’s time now for every capable official to work together: L & I, police, justices, state representatives and the county. Today I am requesting meetings with State Reps Quigley, Hennessey and Sen. Mensch to bring their personal attention to the housing injustice in Pottstown.
I am ashamed that we have let this happen in our community and I cannot bear another winter of witnessing anyone, especially women and children, being thrown out of their homes to enable the greed of negligent investors.
In parting, I ask everyone to think about this:
“Would you want to be forced to pay $800/mo to live in filthy, unsafe conditions and raise children in a dangerous environment where they are always sick?” If the answer is no please help stop the injustice.
Residents can voice their concerns too and, you will be in good company as Citizens Action Committee will support Council’s proposal to inspect rentals on an annual basis.
Show your support for the implementation of the Better Landlord Program for Pottstown. Write your council person and speak up at council.
December 8th 7PM Borough Council Meeting 100 E. High St. 3rd floor – avaricious poverty pimps have promised to gather and hold a “group whine” for borough council. They say the proposed, annual safety inspections of their properties is a financial imposition.
B.S.
