HARRISBURG, April 29 – Today, the PA House of Representatives passed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Roni Green, D-Phila., that would increase transparency of residential parking fees for tenants. House Bill 344 would require landlords to define parking availability and the associated fees to prospective tenants before they sign a lease. Green said this transparency is needed so people aren’t stuck with unexpected parking fees after moving into a new home. “This will empower tenants to hold their landlords accountable if they were unaware of required parking fees when they signed their lease,” said Green.“Tenants deserve to know everything about a rental property before they enter into a lease agreement, and that includes whether parking is provided and any associated costs. The cost of housing is already unbearably high; unexpected parking fees added to monthly expenses are unethical at best and can, in extreme cases, cause people to lose their housing. We need to help people keep a roof over their heads and not be forced out due to surprise costs,” said Green.Green said that while this is becoming a bigger problem with the condo-building boom in Philadelphia, the measure would create accountability and provide recourse by allowing parking fee disputes to be heard in court, enhancing protections for renters throughout Pennsylvania.The bill was approved unanimously in the House and now goes to the state Senate for consideration. Read more