Today, Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack announced a historic rent protection settlement that restores tenant rights for 20 families displaced by a fire nearly 10 years ago. The settlement agreement, following almost a decade of legal and regulatory action at the local, state and federal levels, paves the way for tenants to return to their refurbished former apartments on or before September of this year, or receive a financial settlement if they have chosen not to return to their former homes.

Nine of the tenants have chosen to return and under the agreement their rents will be set at the rate they were paying when the fire took place at 409-415 Bergenline Avenue on December 2, 2012. Additionally, they are also entitled to a $10,000 credit against future rent, and all future rent increases will be subject to the city’s rent control ordinance.

The tenants who have chosen not to return will each receive a $5,000 payment.

“Union City has one of the strongest tenant protection laws in the state and I am gratified that, after so many years of legal disputes, we are able to help these residents return to their homes at their prior rents,” says Mayor Stack. “This settlement also sends a message that Union City is committed to protecting tenant rights no matter how long it may take.”

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