Ordinance Overview

The "No Rent for Slumlords" ordinance (proposed as an amendment to Chapter 4 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances by adding Section 4-209(c)) makes it completely illegal for landlords to collect rent or lease a property if it has conditions that make it unfit for human occupancy or a threat to life and safety.

Currently, tenants often have to wait through long bureaucratic processes for a code enforcement officer to officially declare a unit uninhabitable. NR4S introduces a "point in time" provision. As soon as a life-safety violation is present—such as severe mold, untreated water damage, or unsafe electrical systems—it becomes illegal to collect rent. Most importantly, it gives tenants a private right of action, allowing them to take slumlords to court independently and potentially win up to three times their rent back.

Why We Need Residents to Send This Email

• Building Council Momentum: While several council members and the city attorney have shown initial support, we need a strong, coordinated push to ensure it gets officially placed on the agenda and passed without delays.

• Highlighting the Post-Helene Housing Crisis: Since Hurricane Helene, issues like toxic mold and severe water damage have drastically worsened across the city. This ordinance provides an immediate, powerful tool for tenants living in neglected conditions to force landlords to make repairs.

• Shifting Power to Tenants: It provides popular enforcement capabilities via private right of action, ensuring tenants aren't left vulnerable if the city chooses not to pursue criminal misdemeanor enforcement.