West Oak Lane renters could soon get money back from the landlord they say collected rent while their apartment building was officially considered unsafe. A proposed settlement would provide roughly $142,000 in relief at Bentley Manor, with more than half going directly to tenants and nearly $67,000 in unpaid rent, fees, or interest wiped away.
A Philadelphia judge granted preliminary approval Monday to the deal between Bentley Manor residents and Odin Properties. Individual refunds would be based on how much rent and late fees each class member paid during the covered period, according to WHYY.
How Bentley Manor Became A Legal Battleground
The settlement follows a lawsuit filed in March 2025 by tenants at the 71-unit West Oak Lane complex. The Public Interest Law Center said city inspectors had found loose and missing bricks, a leaning roof parapet, and other conditions that prompted an “unsafe structure” designation.
Philadelphia’s rental rules are unusually direct on this point: landlords must provide a safe, habitable property and maintain it throughout a tenancy. The City of Philadelphia says owners generally cannot obtain a Certificate of Rental Suitability while serious violations remain outstanding, except when a violation is under appeal.
The city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections deemed Bentley Manor unsafe in November 2024 and gave Odin 30 days to correct the problems, according to the lawsuit. Odin did not appeal the notice, tenants alleged, but continued collecting rent for several months afterward; the company has since said the necessary repairs were made and that its properties are now clear of city violations and current on licensing, as reported by WHYY.
Refunds Still Need A Final Court Green Light
The proposed agreement is not the final word. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26, when the court is expected to decide whether to approve the settlement; until then, the refunds and rent forgiveness remain subject to that review.
The Bentley Manor case also fits a broader Philadelphia housing dispute. In November 2025, WHYY reported that tenants at the Upsal Garden Apartments in Mt. Airy had filed a similar proposed class-action lawsuit, alleging their landlord collected rent while the property carried an unsafe designation.
