The Belleville City Council on Monday passed a proposed bill aimed to making living in the city safer.
According to the Belleville News-Democrat, the “Crime-Free Rental Housing” ordinance passed with a 13-3 vote.
The proposed law, which will affect thousands of Belleville residents, requires landlords to evict renters if a “hearing officer” finds they have violated the law. It also requires background checks on potential renters.
Some critics, including Belleville Alderwoman Melinda Hult, have voiced concerns that in the case of domestic abuse, a landlord could put not only the suspect out of the home, but the victim as well.
But Belleville leaders spent two years researching the ordinance and showed their support in the lop-sided vote.