Agenda Packets - 2001/11/05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Rental Property Licensing Requirements and Procedures Page 2 Additionally, the term certificate of registration is used in section 1005.12 of the housing code to describe what could probably be better described as a Multiple Dwelling License. A license is a term that most people understand and the term clearly illustrates a formal or legal permission to do something specified. To grant a license would indicate such legal permission. The term certificate of registration sounds less clear, may create a loophole, and adds a gray area. The fee for a certificate of registration is established by council resolution each year and has not been changed or increased in more than 9 years. Currently, the fees are $5 per unit with a $30 minimum per building. This blanket type fee approach has been in effect since the inception of the housing code, which dates back to the mid 1970’s. While this is a simple approach to administer, staff is seeking the council’s direction in considering changing the fee structure to represent conditions present at a property and the level of participation in certain activities with the City. As an example, should a multiple dwelling that has been certified in the Crime Free Multi Housing program be paying the same fee as a property that has not been certified and incidentally, generates excessive illegal activity? Several other suburban Cities have adopted similar approaches recently, some pro-active and some reactive. Staff believes that a combined approach which rewards properties that participate in the CFMH program and allows the City some recourse to address the occasional problematic property, and residents’ conduct on licensed premises, would seem to make sense and best accomplish this. Additionally, in it’s current form section 1005.12 of the housing code is unclear as to what actions are to be taken in the event that a registered property is repeatedly inspected and does not comply with housing code standards. This situation would be considered a violation of the housing code and a citation could be issued for non- compliance. However, staff feels that the current procedures listed within the housing code in section 1005.12 Subd. 7 are an administrative remedy and as such, would be more suitable for the council to hear and act upon accordingly. Lastly, staff is seeking direction regarding the number of dwelling units to be inspected. The housing code states that the enforcement officer shall make every effort to inspect the premises of all multiple dwelling buildings on an annual basis. However, in 1994 the council directed staff to inspect all multiple dwellings within a four-year timeframe. As such, staff has been inspecting 25% of all dwelling units in each complex on a yearly basis. Staff is requesting that this procedure be modified to increase efficiency and provide better service to residents of the City. Staff feels inspecting 91 units in a 364- unit complex and coming up with little or no problems is not an efficient use of resources. To that avail, all of the large complexes in the City have fulltime management, on site maintenance staff, and are owned by individuals interested in running a business. Conversely, most smaller properties are usually owner managed and do not have access to full time maintenance staff. The owner may come around once a month to collect late rent and make repairs as needed. Staff time could be better utilized inspecting properties which have problems and less time in properties that have none.