2008 Woodie Awards
Neighborhood moves to evict students from off-campus houses
Sean Woods '07
Issue date: 12/1/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Students living in off-campus houses with three or more unrelated housemates have cause for concern.
The Educational Housing District law, created in 2000 to regulate student behavior in the neighborhood community, is now being enforced as the number of students living in private housing has increased over the last year.
According to Denys Davis, Community Liaison and Off-Campus Housing Coordinator, at least two houses of students were evicted by the Department of Licenses and Inspections for breaking the city ordinance in the last month.
In anticipation of more student evictions, Linda Lelii, Vice President for Student Life, has already been in touch with the Presidential Apartments to prepare living space for displaced students.
Community members have compiled lists of homes in which they believe more than three students are living, and are reporting those houses to Licenses and Inspections. The historically residential family neighborhood has voiced concerns about the increase in students renting, as many of the students have been disruptive.
Licenses and Inspections does not seek violators out but acts on complaints that come to their attention. While the law is subject to enforcement, students can expect to see more evictions as students have caused an increasing number of disturbances in the residential community.
The educational housing district law, which only applies to District Four in Philadelphia, requires students to provide their property owner with the name of the school they are attending, and provide their school with their off-campus address.
The zoning compliance states that, "no student may live in the educational housing district in any dwelling which is in violation of the zoning code, including any dwelling in which more than three unrelated persons are living as a single household without a valid use registration permit."
Students are encouraged to review the law before signing a lease, and can read it on the off-campus housing website. These laws do not apply to apartments.
Most students seeking to rent a private house do not utilize the University's off-campus housing department, and many of those students are not aware of the ordinance.
Some houses are zoned for multifamily occupants, but renters must first get that information from their landlord. And although most landlords are familiar with the law, some may still allow for more students in an attempt to make more money.
Students who are not living in accordance with the ordinance are urged to comply, as Licenses and Inspections cracks down on enforcing the Educational Housing District law, and should seek alternate housing.
Though the recent enforcement primarily targets households including more than three persons unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption, violators of other sections of the law and the city's code of conduct may also come under fire.
The Educational Housing District law, created in 2000 to regulate student behavior in the neighborhood community, is now being enforced as the number of students living in private housing has increased over the last year.
According to Denys Davis, Community Liaison and Off-Campus Housing Coordinator, at least two houses of students were evicted by the Department of Licenses and Inspections for breaking the city ordinance in the last month.
In anticipation of more student evictions, Linda Lelii, Vice President for Student Life, has already been in touch with the Presidential Apartments to prepare living space for displaced students.
Community members have compiled lists of homes in which they believe more than three students are living, and are reporting those houses to Licenses and Inspections. The historically residential family neighborhood has voiced concerns about the increase in students renting, as many of the students have been disruptive.
Licenses and Inspections does not seek violators out but acts on complaints that come to their attention. While the law is subject to enforcement, students can expect to see more evictions as students have caused an increasing number of disturbances in the residential community.
The educational housing district law, which only applies to District Four in Philadelphia, requires students to provide their property owner with the name of the school they are attending, and provide their school with their off-campus address.
The zoning compliance states that, "no student may live in the educational housing district in any dwelling which is in violation of the zoning code, including any dwelling in which more than three unrelated persons are living as a single household without a valid use registration permit."
Students are encouraged to review the law before signing a lease, and can read it on the off-campus housing website. These laws do not apply to apartments.
Most students seeking to rent a private house do not utilize the University's off-campus housing department, and many of those students are not aware of the ordinance.
Some houses are zoned for multifamily occupants, but renters must first get that information from their landlord. And although most landlords are familiar with the law, some may still allow for more students in an attempt to make more money.
Students who are not living in accordance with the ordinance are urged to comply, as Licenses and Inspections cracks down on enforcing the Educational Housing District law, and should seek alternate housing.
Though the recent enforcement primarily targets households including more than three persons unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption, violators of other sections of the law and the city's code of conduct may also come under fire.
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