Boston city councilors have rejected a proposed ordinance that would have required landlords to negotiate with tenant groups.
By an 8-5 vote, the City Council last Wednesday defeated the measure, which was vehemently opposed by property owners and real estate industry leaders who called the idea another form of rent control.
Supporters say the so-called collective bargaining ordinance was a modest way to help struggling tenants. The ordinance would have given them a chance to go through a mediation process with landlords when disputes arise over rent increases or housing conditions, they say.
“I think there was a real persistent misunderstanding about what the impact of the legislation was and what it would actually accomplish,” said City Councilor Sam Yoon, a chief supporter of the ordinance.
The ordinance would have applied to Boston residents who own more than 20 rental properties and non-Boston residents with 10 or more units. Landlords who refused to meet with tenant associations could have faced difficulties obtaining city permits and licenses.
Steve Meacham, a tenant organizer for Jamaica Plain-based City Life/Vida Urbana, said his group will continue to organize tenants to put pressure on landlords to address their concerns.
Meacham said City Life and supporters of the ordinance met with real estate industry leaders and councilors and ultimately implemented every suggested change that undecided councilors offered. But in the end, that effort didn’t prove to be enough.
“I think that shows that at least eight city councilors will not vote for anything, literally anything, that the real estate industry opposes,” he said.
Yoon said he plans to come back with another proposal soon, but declined to provide specifics. “I’m going to be working again with the real estate community and tenants and trying to see where there’s common ground for us to craft a solution,” he said.
Voting for the measure were Councilors Yoon, Felix D. Arroyo, Chuck Turner, Charles C. Yancey and Michael P. Ross.
Voting against were Council President Maureen E. Feeney and Councilors Rob Consalvo, Michael Flaherty, Salvatore LaMattina, Bill Linehan, Jerry P. McDermott, Stephen J. Murphy and John Tobin.
