Lynn council hearing will focus on tenant evictions

LYNN – The City Council this evening is slated to conduct a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would allow property owners to evict certain tenants for engaging in illegal conduct on the premises.The hearing before the Ordinance Committee could arm landlords with a law that helps them be rid of problem tenants whose activities jeopardize the health and safety of other occupants in the building.Drug activity and weapons possession have been the most often cited problems. In some instances, the ordinance would allow the City Council to declare an entire property as public nuisance and, as a result, evict every tenant, including some who may not be engaged in illegal activities.The city would also be authorized to carry out targeted evictions of specific tenants.A key component of the proposed ordinance rests in its ability to transfer the cost of eviction to the rental agent. It would create a self-sufficient nuisance eviction program paid for by the property managers rather than Lynn taxpayers as a whole.Shifting the cost burden onto the property management company is expected to make them more diligent in their property management duties and prompt them to avoid renting or continuing to rent to individuals engaging in illegal activities.According to the proposed ordinance as currently written, “fees, assessments of costs and penalties provided for are based not on the ownership of rental property, but on the operation of a business renting commercial and residential property and the management of the property.”Violent crime, the threat of violent crime and acts of domestic violence would all be grounds for eviction under the proposed law.The hearing commences in City Hall Room 402 at 6:30 p.m.