LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
San Marcos is a vibrant and growing community, but many of our residents who rent their homes face significant challenges that threaten their stability and well-being. Issues such as unaffordable rent increases, inadequate maintenance, and the risk of unjust evictions are all too common. These problems are not unique to our city; they reflect a broader national crisis in tenant rights.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition, in collaboration with the National Housing Law Project and the Tenant Union Federation, has developed a comprehensive National Tenants Bill of Rights to address these challenges. This framework outlines seven essential rights for renters: 1. The Right to a Fair Application: Ensuring that landlords consider only relevant information about an applicant’s ability to fulfill their obligations as a tenant.
2. The Right to a Fair Lease: Mandating clear and fair lease terms that define the duties and rights of both landlords and tenants, avoiding predatory or deceptive clauses.
3. The Right to Freedom from Discrimination and Harassment: Providing tenants with tools to prevent discrimination, privacy violations, and harassment, and ensuring robust enforcement of anti- discrimination laws.
4. The Right to Habitable Homes: Requiring landlords to promptly address habitability concerns, such as necessary repairs and maintenance, to ensure safe and healthy living conditions.
5. The Right to Reasonable Rent and Costs: Protecting tenants from rent gouging and excessive or hidden fees by limiting unreasonable rent increases and ensuring transparency in cost assessments.
6. The Right to Organize: Empowering tenants to form associations or unions without fear of retaliation, correcting the power imbalance between tenants and landlords.
7. The Right to Safeguards Against Eviction: Guaranteeing due process in eviction proceedings and protecting tenants from illegal or unjust evictions without good cause.
Implementing a San Marcos Tenants Bill of Rights, modeled after this national framework, would provide our community with the necessary protections to ensure fair treatment and housing stability for all renters.
I urge my fellow residents to voice their support for this initiative at the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 630 E Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666. To participate, you can sign up to speak either remotely or in person by using the online registration form available on the city’s website. Please note that online sign-ups must be submitted before noon on the day of the meeting. In-person signups can be completed at the City Clerk’s Office using the kiosk prior to 5:45 p.m. on the day of the meeting. For more information on the sign-up process and participation rules, please visit the Citizen Comments at Council Meetings page on the City of San Marcos website.
By coming together and advocating for a San Marcos Tenants Bill of Rights, we can take a significant step toward ensuring that all residents have access to safe, affordable, and stable housing.
Sincerely, Chase Norris San Marcos
