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Proposed bill holds landlords accountable

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD City Councilor Timothy Rooke is spearheading the implementation of a recommendation from the Urban Land Institute's report on the city of Springfield that could help both tenants and landlords alike.

Rooke would like the city to develop a rental occupancy permit for anyone who rents residential property in the city. The permit would set a group of standards for the maintenance of the property and the behavior of the tenants and could be used as a tool for the city in enforcing health and building codes as well as fighting crime.

"We want to send a message that you [landlords and tenants who break the law] are not welcome in Springfield," he told Reminder Publications on Wednesday.

Rooke met with fellow councilors and landlords on Tuesday to begin what he sees as a "lengthy process."

The legislation is in "the very early stages," Rooke said.

"Not even a word has been put to paper yet," he added. Writing the ordinance and seeking the necessary approvals might take up to six months, he said.

Rooke said the Springfield ordinance would be based on the one in place in Paducah, Ky. That ordinance requires landlords to apply for a rental occupancy permit for every residential unit and an inspection of those units must be made before the permit is granted. The permit can only be granted if all of the taxes and city fees associated with the dwelling have been paid.

City officials in Paducah consider revoking the permit if building or health code violations are not corrected or if there has been criminal activity at the dwelling.

There are no initial fees for the Kentucky permit, but the Urban Land Institute recommended in its report the city consider a $25 per unit annual fee that could be a new revenue stream for the city.

Rooke said the permit would offer protection to tenants from negative behaviors from their neighbors.

In order to make an ordinance such as this one work, Rooke said there would have to be greater communication about problem properties between the Police Department, the Health Department and the Code Enforcement office. There would also have to be a staff of 10 people inspecting the rental units, which Rooke estimated would cost the city between $400,000 and $500,000.

There are laws on Springfield's books that address bad landlord and tenant behaviors, but Rooke wants to see an effort "to expedite the process of closing them down."