A recent survey reveals that a significant number of low-income renters in Kansas reside in deteriorating homes that pose health risks. These individuals feel powerless to enhance their living conditions.
Renters often hesitate to submit maintenance requests or report their poor living conditions to authorities due to their fear of facing retaliation, such as eviction, from their landlords. Unfortunately, state laws do not offer sufficient protection to these vulnerable renters in such situations.
According to a survey conducted by the University of Kansas, low-income renters in Douglas County are more prone to experiencing the threat of eviction compared to their higher-income counterparts. The survey revealed that over half of the respondents who expressed fear of eviction had an annual income of less than $35,000.
According to the survey, renters have expressed the challenges they face in finding affordable housing while ensuring their personal safety.
They have had to endure living in homes that landlords have neglected and that are not regularly inspected for code violations by authorities. These issues include problems like mold, broken appliances, and pests.
According to Christina Holt, a researcher and assistant director of the Center for Community Health and Development at the KU Life Span Institute, most landlords tend to ignore the maintenance requests submitted by renters.
As a result, approximately one-third of renters choose not to submit any maintenance requests at all, fearing that their concerns won’t be taken seriously by their landlords or authorities.
Renters also expressed experiencing a power imbalance with their landlords, with some even recounting instances of physical assault and harassment.
According to Holt, low-income renters often perceive that authorities are not conducting sufficient inspections or enforcing code violations, leading to a sense of helplessness in their poor living conditions.
They feel trapped because they are aware that their landlords can easily evict them and find new tenants, even if such actions are technically against the law.
“They are unwilling to risk losing their housing completely,” Holt stated, “even if the conditions are less than ideal.”
Mike Hoheisel, a member of the Wichita City Council, emphasized the significance of the study in shedding light on the challenges faced by renters in his community.
During a recent discussion with lawmakers, he highlighted the concerning poverty rates in his district, which encompasses areas in southern Wichita. Hoheisel stressed that addressing the issues of affordable housing and rental assistance are of utmost importance to his constituents.
State law prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for reporting problems, but it lacks an effective mechanism for enforcement. This loophole leaves renters vulnerable to potential retaliation from their landlords.
According to Hoheisel, an advocate for affordable housing, there are landlords who exploit renters who are unaware of their rights and resort to intimidation in order to force them out.
Hoheisel expressed concern about landlords taking advantage of tenants’ lack of knowledge about the system. She believes that this allows them to navigate the process in an unjust manner.
The Wichita City Council has taken steps to address this issue by implementing a local ordinance that enforces the state law.
According to this ordinance, tenants have the ability to report instances of landlord retaliation to the city. If a court determines that the landlord is indeed guilty of retaliation, the city has the authority to issue fines.
The ordinance also mandates mediation between landlords and tenants, with the ultimate goal of fostering healthy relationships between them.
According to a report by KMUW, Shawn Land, who represents a group of landlords in Wichita, stated that the ordinance would not significantly affect landlords who operate in a legal and fair manner.
Land, a real estate expert, believes that responsible landlords should not be worried about the proposed changes. In his opinion, these regulations would mainly affect slumlords and those who operate in a negligent manner.
Topeka, the city, has implemented a comparable ordinance. According to Hoheisel, these ordinances may not lead to numerous fines, but they do serve as a warning to landlords.
“We are sending a clear message to landlords that we are taking this matter seriously,” Hoeheisel emphasized. “It is imperative for them to reconsider their approach moving forward.”