Owensboro landlords upset with possible law changes

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) – The Owensboro Human Relations Commission held a forum on Saturday to discuss bringing a new housing act to the city and county.

Tensions grew as landlords and tenants in attendance voiced their concerns about the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act.

Officials say the commission spent a year researching URLTA.

The act is a set of rules made to help landlords and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities. While not a federal law, it serves as a guide for state and local governments.

Saturday’s forum was held to provide information and for the OHRC to gauge support for adopting the rules.

Tensions grew as landlords discussed how they would be impacted.

OHRC board member Jen Vogel says that she understands tensions can run high, but these changes will improve housing for the community.

“We are asking them to change how they do business because we are giving them more regulations. It’s going to change leases, it’s going to change things, but it’s a benefit for our community. And of course, the good landlords are probably doing the things that this law would enact already,” said Vogel.

Some landlords say this new act could do more harm for them than good. They feel the changes would cause maintenance costs and rent to go up.

“We really don’t need this. We’ve already got the Kentucky Free Housing Act right here. Why do we need an additional set of rules to go by that can only potentially raise the landlord’s cost and therefore pass the cost on to the tenant?” said landlord Dale Roberts.

Vogel says data from the forums will be collected and will be presented to city and county officials.

Another forum will be held at the HL Neblett Community Center at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday.