Create new law prohibiting landlord harassment of tenants

Why This Vote Matters

Richmond approved the first reading of a new tenant anti-harassment ordinance with broad support, with only Mayor Butt voting against it. The law would create the city's first specific protections against landlord harassment tactics like excessive inspections or utility shutoffs, defining what counts as harassment and setting penalties for violations. Tenants would gain new legal recourse against intimidation designed to force them out of their homes. This continues the council majority's pattern of supporting tenant protections, while Mayor Butt maintains his more cautious stance on housing regulations. The ordinance will need a second reading before becoming law.

Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.