West Oak Lane tenants sue landlord for illegal rent collection

Tenants at Bentley Manor in West Oak Lane, Philadelphia, are suing their landlord, Odin Properties. They claim the company collected rent illegally while the building was declared unsafe. The class-action lawsuit was filed last week. It states that Odin accepted rent for months, even after the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections marked the property as an "unsafe structure." Problems included loose bricks and a leaning roof, which made the living conditions dangerous. City laws require landlords to maintain their properties and prevent them from collecting rent until safety issues are fixed. Odin Properties was given 30 days to make repairs after the building was deemed unsafe in November. According to the lawsuit, the company did not appeal this decision and failed to complete the repairs on time. Despite this, they reportedly continued to collect rent for four months, prompting tenants to take legal action. The tenants are asking Odin to repair the building and refund any money collected unlawfully. They hope the lawsuit will also help educate other renters about their rights. Madison Gray, a staff attorney for the Public Interest Law Center, stated that many tenants know their rights but may not understand the legal process. The lawsuit also names two other entities linked to Odin Properties. In response, Odin’s CEO Philip Balderston said the company values its relationships with residents and will carefully consider the allegations. Tenants continue to face ongoing issues such as mold, electrical outages, and security concerns. Dawn Colbourne, one of the lead plaintiffs, expressed her frustration. She described safety issues, including theft in the building, leaking windows, and a broken stove. Colbourne, who relies on a fixed income, wishes for the landlord to take responsibility and improve living conditions. Currently, it is unclear when Odin will address the repairs needed. A recent city record shows the company received a permit for structural repairs in March. This is not the first time tenants have protested against Odin, as they have previously called for urgent repairs across multiple properties.