DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — The Durham City Council has approved a new ordinance designed to protect tenants living in unsafe conditions.

The code amendment makes it illegal for landlords to collect rent in housing that's "imminently dangerous to health or safety". It defines "imminently dangerous" as housing that includes issues such as unsafe wiring, unsafe ceilings or roofs, no potable water supply, no operable sanitary facilities, and severe pest infestations.

Similar ordinances have already been in effect in Charlotte and Pittsboro.

"Hopefully, it's an incentivization tool so landlords look at this and understand there are real consequences to not fixing these imminently dangerous conditions.," Councilwoman Chelsea Cook said. "They already know they have the responsibility to do so. But

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