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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Roseann Cadau |
State Rep. Louise Bishop |
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Bishop lease protection bill passes House
HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Phila., said the House of Representatives today passed a bill she authored that would allow tenants with a terminal or mental illness to discontinue their residential rental leases with one month’s written notice.
Bishop said renters usually are not aware they have significant health problems at the time they sign a long-term lease.
“Under current law, tenants who are forced to break their lease due to chronic health problems face stiff penalties for doing so,” Bishop said. “My legislation will protect renters from being penalized for situations beyond their control.”
Under the legislation (H.B. 810), renters who develop psychological problems or terminal medical conditions that force them to leave an apartment or house they are renting would be able to terminate their lease with one month’s notice, provided they have a doctor’s certification.
In addition, Bishop’s bill also would require landlords to provide access to the apartment or house to whomever the tenant or doctor designates in writing, should the need arise.
The bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
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