During its regular meeting on August 14, City Council adopted legislation that was the culmination of the Rental Registration Ad Hoc committee meetings. This legislation establishes a Rental Dwelling Registration Program in the city.
As a part of the new program, owners of residential rental property units located within the city will be required to register each of their individual rental units. There are eleven exemptions to this requirement.
In addition, if the rental property owner resides more than 75 miles from the city, a local agent that does live within 75 miles of the city must be named. The purpose of the agent is to serve as a contact who will be available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a week and to act as a registered agent in order to accept service on behalf of the owner.
The adopted legislation does not require inspection of rental units. While the legislation does not require inspections, a tenant may request an inspection at any time. In addition, landlords may request inspection of vacant units or, when occupied, if there is evidence of an imminent risk to health or safety to the tenant(s) or the public.
The legislation does contain penalty provisions for those rental dwelling property owners who fail to register, identify a local agent when required, or intentionally submit false information.
City staff is currently working with a software vendor to establish an easy to use, online enrollment for the new program.
Safe and properly maintained properties and buildings minimize neighborhood blight and are essential to the general welfare, quality of life and the promotion of economic development opportunities in the community.
The registration process is expected to begin in early 2024.