West Oak Lane tenants will get rent forgiveness and refunds in a record-breaking settlement with their landlord
The agreement provides for the largest known per-tenant award in a class-action lawsuit under Philadelphia’s rental license and certificate law, according to the Public Interest Law Center.
Renters in West Oak Lane who filed a class-action lawsuit against one of Philadelphia’s largest landlords over unsafe conditions will get rent forgiveness and refunds under an agreement approved by a Philadelphia judge Monday.
Tenants at the Bentley Manor apartments sued Philadelphia-based Odin Properties and affiliated companies in March 2025 over outstanding violations issued by the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections.
In November 2024, L&I had declared the 71-unit apartment building unsafe, citing loose and missing bricks on exterior walls and a leaning parapet. The department said property conditions presented an “immediate danger or hazard to health, safety, and welfare.”
» READ MORE: Tenants are suing one of Philly’s biggest landlords after months of unsafe conditions
Soon after tenants sued, Odin Properties made necessary safety repairs at the building. But Philadelphia law prohibits landlords from collecting rent if they have a serious violation from L&I that has been outstanding for at least 30 days from when they received notice.
Under an agreement reached with tenants earlier this year, Odin Properties and affiliated companies agreed to forgive a total of about $67,000 in unpaid rent and associated late fees, and to refund a total of $75,000 for 68 renters. Tenants are entitled to rent relief and refunds for the time period of Dec. 14, 2024, through April 28, 2025.
Common Pleas Court Judge James C. Crumlish III gave final approval for the agreement at a hearing Monday, clearing the way for renters to receive payments.
The agreement provides for the largest known per-tenant award in a class-action lawsuit under Philadelphia’s rental license and certificate law, according to the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Public Interest Law Center and the Philadelphia-based Hausfeld law firm, which sued on behalf of tenants.
Madison Gray, the staff attorney at the Public Interest Law Center who represented renters at Monday’s hearing, said she anticipates an increase in similar cases once legislation by City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke takes effect Nov. 1.
“It’s great timing for us to get this historic settlement right before [the] Safe Healthy Homes [Act] goes into effect, which will make it easier for tenants to get rent refunds under the law,” Gray said.
She encouraged any renter with concerns about their home to contact L&I and request an inspection.
“That was the start of tenants getting this settlement here,” she said.
Odin Properties, which owns and manages roughly 2,000 housing units in Philadelphia through its affiliates, is no longer connected to the Bentley Manor apartment building. Fernrock Apartments 2 LP, an affiliate that owned Bentley Manor during the time period covered by the settlement, sold the building for more than $6.2 million in December, according to city records.
In a statement, Philip Balderston, president of Odin Properties, said the company is proud that it doesn’t have any open violations, “especially given the age of many of our buildings.”
“Our residents are incredibly important to us, and we will continue our work of delivering and preserving high-quality affordable homes,” Balderston said.
