Landlords with properties surrounding Temple University's North Philly campus could face strong penalties now that the off-campus student community is considered an "educational housing district" in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia City Council passed an ordinance Thursday to add Philly's 5th district, which covers the residential blocks surrounding Temple, to the list of educational housing districts
The educational housing districts are defined to control tenant behavior. Other districts already on the list impact students living near St. Joseph’s University and Philadelphia University.
Improper student behavior could cause the city's Dept of Licenses and Inspections to revoke property managers' and owners' licenses and certificates, according to the updated ordinance.
The updated code also stipulates that students are required to have at least one “supervisor” – someone older than 21 – in the housing unit.
Philadelphia approved the legislation in 2002 to regulate codes more strictly in educational housing districts. At the time, the ordinance impacted just one district -- the 4th which covers Manayunk and Overbrook.
The legislation was updated in 2010 and landlords officially assumed the responsibility of careless student tenants’ actions.
About 82% of Temple's students live off campus and the college's Student Affairs Dept. carefully outlines the university's expectations for student living off-campus, as well as the responsibilities of landlords.
Photo Credit: Lauren Hertzler