Durham Backs Strong Renters’ Rights Ordinance

The council adopts a renters’ rights ordinance setting safety, maintenance, and dignity standards after debate over legal caveats and keeping a key list aligned with other cities. Members weigh tenant leverage against preemption concerns before a unanimous vote. 8mins

Housing Policy
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Original Meeting

Monday, October 20th, 2025
20621.0
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

Welcome to the City Council Meeting for October 20, 2025.

Agenda: https://www.durhamnc.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-4

How to participate: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1345

Contact the City Council: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1323

NOTE: Comments left on this livestream will not be read or entered into the meeting record.

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Wes Platt
Durham, NC
Neighborhood news guy for Southpoint Access in Durham.
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In This Video
  • Anjanee Bell advocated for an ordinance affirming renters’ rights and establishing safety, maintenance, and dignity standards for housing in Durham.
  • Council Member Caballero proposed a friendly amendment to replace a list with one from the City Attorney’s office for better local context and suggested adding language in Section 10-241 to account for preemption by state or federal law, noting issues raised by the Durham Housing Authority.
  • Council Member Freeman cautioned that changing the ordinance’s list could weaken the measure and emphasized keeping it consistent with Pittsboro and Charlotte.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton expressed support for the ordinance as a tool to help tenants leverage potential government action.
  • Council Member Cook credited Riverside High School’s affordable housing group for drafting the ordinance, emphasized alignment with Charlotte’s code, and declined to replace the list in the current draft.
  • Council Member Cook opposed adding preemption language, arguing it would introduce vagueness, invite challenges, and weaken the ordinance as a tenant tool.
  • Council Member Caballero supported adding preemption language, citing past instances where the city crafted legally compliant workarounds and emphasizing the constraints of municipal authority in North Carolina.
  • Council Member Freeman opposed adding preemption language, arguing it would create hurdles for tenants and invite challenges to the ordinance.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton supported the ordinance as a tenant tool while urging respect for differing perspectives on the council and cautioning against dismissiveness during deliberation.
  • Council Member Cook argued that adding language would weaken the ordinance’s effectiveness as a tenant tool and stated opposition to compromising tenant protections for consensus.
  • The council concluded the vote, and the motion passed unanimously.
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