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Rental-unit inspections, registry considered
(by Sue Reid - August 04, 2010)
Rental-unit inspections, registry considered
By SUE REID
If the City of Solon is to move forward with a proposed rental-occupancy-permit ordinance, the legislation needs to have some "teeth" to it, Councilwoman Toni M. Richmond told members of the planning commission last week.
Ms. Richmond and fellow commission members shared some thoughts on the ordinance during a public hearing. The hearing, which opened in April, will remain open with the commission planning to send its recommendation to City Council later this month.
The ordinance should not only protect individuals in the rental properties but also neighbors who notice "18 people living in a single-family dwelling next to them," Ms. Richmond said. "They should have the right to approach the city. There needs to be some kind of recourse to hold those" in violation of the ordinance accountable," she said. "If not, then the legislation would be meaningless."
Some people rent in neighborhoods and do not take care of the property, "which devalues other people's property," she said.
"While we do have ordinances in place, it's hard to hold renters accountable," Ms. Richmond said. "We need to know the owners so that we can hold them accountable."
She also said she thinks inspections are going to be necessary.
"If property owners indicate on the application there is going to be five people living there and we are getting word from neighbors there are 15, without having a way to inspect to determine how many people are actually living there, I don't think we have the ability to do anything about it," she said.
Commission chairman William M. Mazur said he would be in favor of having a registry in place as a first step. The registry would include not only who owns the property but who lives there, he said. "It's important for city and neighbors to know who's living in the rental properties."
Mr. Mazur said the ordinance should call for a permit process every three years. "Right now, the proposal is to renew the occupancy rental permit every year," he said. "I am thinking every year is too much. I'm suggesting the renewal every three years," he said. "We have to walk with this before we run with it."
Commission member George K. Hrabak said the ordinance gives the city a place to start.
"We need to identify the rental properties and develop a rental occupancy agreement," he said. It's important to have an ordinance in place so that, if individuals are having problems, they can come to the city, he said.
Ms. Richmond said it may be possible to do the registration piece work first and see how that works and then incorporate more controls later.
Commission member Roger C. Newberry said he agrees with Mr. Mazur about moving slowly.
Mr. Mazur said the Solon School Board has a list of renters in the community. He asked Mark Marong, of Solon Law Director David J. Matty's office, if there is any legislation to prohibit the city from cross-checking that list with the schools and vice versa.
Mr. Marong said he would check if there are any privacy issues involved.
Mr. Mazur said the commission's agenda still is to move the issue onto council by its Aug. 24 meeting.
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