Our actions impact the communities that we live in.  Property maintenance issues and illegal activity cause property values to drop, the quality of our neighborhoods to decline and community moral to fade.  

City Government agencies like L&I and CLIP have been fighting blight and property maintenance problems for years. But every year their budgets are slashed because this City is facing major budget problems even though the challenges facing our communities continue to grow.  As a community we have to step up and help each other out.  We have to work together.

That is why Councilman Bobby Henon has developed the Bad Neighbor Initiative.  It is a comprehensive and focused effort to target bad neighbors and landlords and to bring them into compliance with basic community standards.  

The Bad Neighbor Initiative

Councilman Bobby Henon will engage in an aggressive education campaign to remind everyone in the 6th District that we need to be partners in the fight against blight and other quality of life issues. The goal will be to educate our community about the law and to encourage offenders to comply.

Bobby has identified the residents and owners of properties who have received multiple property maintenance code violation notices over the past three years and Bobby will send them a gentle reminder that their actions impact all of us.  Property maintenance issues like trash; over-grown weeds; high grass; and broken windows, cause property values to drop, neighborhoods to decline and community moral to fade.  

Bobby will take steps to identify the worst of the worst.  These property owners have received violation after violation after violation and clearly show no interest in changing their ways.  If necessary, Bobby will subpoena them to testify in front of City Council about their apparent disregard for the community that they live in and property they own.  

Bobby is working hard to identify properties that he suspects are being used as illegal rentals. Philadelphia law requires that all rental properties have a valid rental license. Not only can the City fine unlicensed landlords, a landlord may not collect rent without being properly licensed.

Bobby is working with the police districts to identify properties that habitually require police intervention for drug activity, prostitution and other behaviors that seriously and negatively impact the quality and safety of our neighborhoods.  Bobby will work with the City to use every resource available to put an end to these activities.  

And, Bobby will introduce legislation that will increase the penalties for property owners and tenants who habitually violate the law.  Bobby will post this legislation on this website so that you can learn more and give him some feedback.  

Do YOUR Part!

Bobby needs YOUR help.  Please help Bobby in this fight by reporting property maintenance problems by calling 311 and illegal activity by calling 911.  And, if you are a landlord or resident that needs help to comply with the law, be proactive and call the Department of Licenses and Inspections at 215-686-8686 or Bobby's office at 215-686-3444.  

Bobby is eager to roll up his sleeves and tackle these issues.   These quality of life issues impact all of us.   Let’s work together to solve them.