Renters rally for tenants' rights at State House. Here's what they want.

Tenants of Pioneer Investments — which has housed renters in dilapidated and sometimes unsafe buildings, one of which was linked to child lead poisoning cases — fought back at a State House rally on Tuesday.

Roughly three dozen demonstrators, organized by local progressive group Reclaim RI, gathered in the rotunda alongside a handful of state legislators to speak out.

"It has become so mentally draining for the past few years, I can no longer take it and I am taking a stand," said Melissa Grussi, a West Warwick tenant who is now part of a tenants union comprised of Pioneer renters.

Pioneer renters have pushed back against landlord, face eviction

Pioneer tenants, whom The Providence Journal has been covering since last year, have offered tours of their apartments, which have been plagued by structural issues, overgrown yards, apparent animal droppings, serious leaks and sewage stench. Landlord Anurag Sureka has not commented directly to The Journal, allowing attorneys to deliver statements on behalf of Pioneer, which has argued that tenants have skewed the facts and that the company cares about the condition of its properties and has made some repairs.

More:Tenants band together against RI landlord as they face deplorable conditions

In February, tenants said they were being pushed out of their homes with termination of tenancy notices or the expectation of receiving one. But they may not find it easy to locate new housing, even if they want out. In certain cases, because of nonpayment of rent, tenants already have eviction proceedings on their record, which will serve as a black mark when they look to rent again as Rhode Island leaves those records unsealed.

What tenants' rights bills might be filed this session?

The rally comes ahead of a House Judiciary Committee hearing set for Thursday when lawmakers will discuss a slate of bills intended to boost protections for renters. Among the long list of proposals is legislation to increase the amount of notice for rent hikes, limit the use of credit checks and criminal history in the application process, ban application fees, bar landlords from asking tenants about immigration status, and prohibit rents from being raised more than once a year — something that may be a headache for month-to-month renters.

Some lawmakers, such as Sen. Tiara Mack, are also pushing for evictions to be sealed and a landlord registry to be created to identify landlords and ensure they comply with local laws.

Mack, who is herself a renter, said "this legislation is not just for them but for me and other people who look like me."

'A matter of life or death for so many families'

Mack is also pushing for a Tenant Bill of Rights to ensure tenants' rights to legal counsel, habitability, protest, equity, and being "free of eviction without good cause." It would also establish the right of first refusal, which would allow a tenant to purchase their property if it goes on the market.

Rep. Cherie Cruz, who is also a renter, said the state was not just facing a housing crisis but a public health crisis.

"This is a matter of life or death for so many families," she added, expressing frustration that the states housing laws aren't implemented.

"Across the state of Rhode Island, tens of thousands of renters have to deal with deplorable conditions," said Rep. David Morales, who condemned "outdated tenant laws that aren't even enforced to begin with."

In response to news of the rally, Pioneer's attorney, Samuel Grossack, said in an email that the company "looks forward to reviewing the bills put forth in the Legislature and encourages dialogue on all sides of the debate."

"Pioneer provides affordable housing to residents in Rhode Island," Grossack wrote. "Pioneer is spending substantial resources, time, and money in updating their properties while striving to improve the overall living conditions of their residents. Pioneer is seeing a majority of its residents pleased with the progress. Pioneer does understand that they may not be able to please everyone, but they strive to do so regardless."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI tenants' rights bills could be filed this session