Small business owners call for rent reform

Dozens
of small business owners, unions, arts groups, not-for-profits and
tenant groups called for the passage of the Small Business Survival Act at the City
Council’s small business committee hearing today, complaining about rent hikes. The Small Business Survival Act, which was introduced in 2008, would grant small businesses the right to renew leases on terms negotiated by both the business and landlord. If the parties fail
to reach an agreement on their own, either the small business owner or
landlord may request a mediator to produce an agreement, or an
arbitrator if a mediator can not settle the matter. City Council member Robert Jackson, lead sponsor of the bill, said, “The crisis of skyrocketing rents hitting our small businesses is undermining our communities. Longstanding neighborhood ‘mom and pops’ are being replaced by national chains and bank branches who can afford outrageous rent increases.” TRD