When a property becomes blighted, a municipality's code enforcers contact the property owner to fix the issues.

But what if there's no way to reach out to an owner?

It’s not uncommon for rental properties to be owned by corporations, business trusts, or even out-of-state LLCs. These organizations can be faceless entities with no relevant point of contact.

Democrat Rep. Jared Solomon says with no contact, properties in his Philadelphia community have stayed blighted for years.

“How does it make children feel, if they want to play with neighbors? Or senior citizens, out for a walk?” Solomon said. “Or the family that just wants to get out for a Sunday?"

House Bill 858 requires corporations, LLCs, and other similar entities to give a phone number and email to the county assessor when the entity buys property. The contact information has to be for an employee or owner who has authority and ability to repair the property if issues arise.

The assessor will compile a contact list, and code enforcers can request a contact when necessary.

There can be a $500 fine if groups intentionally give wrong contact info, or fail to update contact information if it changes.

House Bill 858 passed the off the House floor this week with 132 votes in favor and 71 opposed. The bill passed out of committee unanimously. 

"When you issue an order to correct, there's a place to send the order to correct. Rather than in an anonymous LLC,” said Rep. Bob Merski, a Democrat from Erie who co-sponsored the legislation. "You'll have a name, you'll have a contact information and I think anyone who's been in these areas where out-of-town owners owned rental properties, they they see the frustration of not being able to contact the owner."

When communities can limit blight, those properties can become available for residence-- which is key as Pennsylvania has fewer property owners and housing costs keep rising. In addition, less blight can make an area more attractive for new houses and businesses to build.