COLUMBIA - The city of Columbia knows of 22,715 rental units, but an actual total remains elusive.
“We are certain there are more rentals in this city," said Leigh Britt, Manager of the Office of Neighborhood Services. “We work to try to identify them.
The Office of Neighborhood Services registers all rental property. Registering property ensures that it complies with the city’s Rental Conservation Law, according to Britt.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, officials will hear a report concerning a period for landlords, who would otherwise be prosecuted for noncompliance with the law, to register their rental property with out fear of prosecution.
“If they don’t feel comfortable, this a time for them to come,” Britt said.
Called the Rental Registry Amnesty Program, the plan would allow any property owner to register their property with amnesty from prosecution from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, 2010.
“After that period, Nov. 15, we intended to return to investigating and prosecuting unlawful rentals.” Said Britt.
The Office of Neighborhood Services has a variety of methods for finding landlords who are unregistered. Britt describes how they receive tenant complaints, research lawn signs, and compare utility bills to ownership.
“We don’t have a consistent way, but we come across them everyday,” she said. “We have some active cases, which we aren’t going to drop,” Britt said, explaining that amnesty is for those who volunteer to register.
At his news meeting on Friday, September 3, City Manager Bill Watkins speculated, “It may be cheaper to pay fines than comply,”
When registering a rental unity, an owner’s property is subject to an inspection for proper zoning compliance and safety hazards. Britt speculates that some landlords aren’t ready to pay for major improvements to their property in order to be compliant.
“There is a fee, which is minimal,” Britt said. She added that, “you agree your property will remain to code.”
A new application is $35 per building and $7 per inspection. Britt explained that is costs a single family home $42 to be registered, and a duplex $49.
“That’s good for 3 years,” said Britt.
After the first period, the price drops to $25 per 3 years and the inspection fee is waived. Moreover, inspections are not required if there are no complaints, according to Britt.
Currently, landlords face a fine not more than $500 or less than three months imprisonment if they are found to not comply with this law, according to the report prepared for the city council.
“We have an awful lot of property owners in compliance, we don’t think it’s fair that other property owners aren’t making the effort,” said Britt.
Britt believes that some property owners are unaware that a registry exists, but hopes the program would change that. According to the report, the Office of Neighborhood Services would promote the Rental Conservation Law with press releases, articles in City Source, and speaking with realtors and lenders who might have contact with landlords.
“Tenants can play a role a in this,” she said, encouraging renters to ask their landlords if they are registered.
“This program is about ensuring safe housing for those who rent,” she emphasized. “I think it’s city wide.”
No comments:
Post a Comment