OKLAHOMA CITY – A state lawmaker has filed two interim study requests that focus on addressing the housing needs of many Oklahomans.
One of the studies requested by Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) would examine the impact of unsafe and unhealthy renter conditions across the state, while the second study would review legislative solutions to Oklahoma’s housing crisis.
One area of concern to Dollens is Oklahoma’s lack of landlord anti-retaliation laws and how that affects living conditions for renters.
Anti-retaliation laws prevent landlords from retaliating against a tenant for exercising their rights. For instance, if a tenant called the health inspector for unaddressed unhealthy living conditions, in Oklahoma, the landlord could retaliate by raising the tenant’s rent with little to no protection for the renter.
“Oklahoma is one of six states that doesn’t have anti-retaliation laws to protect tenants from vindictive landlords,” Dollens said. “Weak tenant protection laws attract out-of-state corporate investors looking to prey on vulnerable Oklahomans.”
Issues like homeownership by corporations have the potential to affect the living conditions of Oklahomans. According to the National Real Estate Association, Oklahoma is third in the nation for corporations owning homes. Additionally, many of these corporations aren’t from Oklahoma.
“Oklahomans deserve a fair shot at homeownership – especially veterans and first-time homebuyers,” Dollens said. “Out-of-state corporate investors are gobbling up the housing market, creating an unfair playing field for everyday hardworking people who deserve the opportunity to own the American Dream, not rent it.”
Each interim study request is reviewed and considered by the Speaker of the House. Decisions on those requests are expected no later than July 29.