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Rental Licensing Ordinance
Introduction
Within the City of Frederick, it is estimated that there are more than 10,500 dwelling units currently being rented. Many of these units were built before 1980. Conservation of existing rental housing stock is of tremendous importance, as it provides necessary naturally occurring affordable housing. However, there may be units that violate the City’s Property Maintenance Code or other technical codes. Moreover, the City does not have comprehensive information about the location, ownership, or condition of many units. The lack of information about these units, and the health and safety of the tenants residing in them, is of concern to housing advocates and officials.
Relying on a complaint-based enforcement program may not be adequate to ensure that residential rental units are safely maintained. Tenants may not report complaints due to fears of landlord retaliation and/or fear of government authorities. They may also face language, culture, or education barriers that deter them from using complaint-based programs. Substandard housing conditions are linked to a wide array of significant health problems - especially in children, the disabled, and the elderly. They also threaten the physical, social, and economic stability of surrounding structures, neighborhoods, and the City as a whole.
It is in the public interest that all residential rental units comply with certain minimum maintenance standards. The most effective way to obtain compliance with such standards is through licensing with periodic inspections of residential rental units.
Applicability
The Rental Licensing Ordinance Applies to:
All long-term residential leases (greater than 6 months)
AND
Short-term residential (STR) leases
Exceptions
Dormitories, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, medical care facilities, religious facilities, a portion of a dwelling unit (Example: a bedroom for rent), an informal arrangement without an agreement
Registration and Licensing
Concept
- Annual on-line registration system for residential
- License valid for 1 year
Inspection
Audit inspections will be completed on a random selection of 15 percent of residential rental units annually.
Criteria
DPW to develop an inspection checklist based on the Property Maintenance Code (PMC).
Failures
If the property fails to meet the required criteria after the second re-inspection, the rental license will be revoked for one year.
Non-Compliance
Non-compliance will be monitored through a complaint-driven system run through Code Enforcement.
Purpose
Investigating properties that rented without a valid license
Fees and Fines
- $120/year Licensing fee (will cover cost of 15% audit inspection)
- Free 1st re-inspection, $300 for 2nd re-inspection
- $1,000/day Fine for operating without a license
Note
If a unit fails inspection and is owned by a landlord with multiple properties, inspectors may inspect other units of the same owner
Tenant Protection Programs
If a unit fails after the second re-inspection (third visit), the rental license is revoked, and the tenant must vacate, the City will assist with tenant relocation if there is a demonstrated financial need. (Note: Two percent of annual program revenue generated after operations expenses will be used to fund the tenant protection program).
Phasing
The rental licensing program will be implemented in phases to allow landlords time to comply with requirements and to build revenue ahead of the auditing process to allow the program to be cost neutral.
Phasing timeline
- Now thru 2023 – Messaging and Education
- January 2024 – Commence Mandatory Rental Licensing
- June 2025 – Affordable Housing Conservation Program
Costs and Revenues
Revenues
Fees and fines will be used to pay for the program. Remaining funds will be used to create an Affordable Housing Conservation Program through the Department of Housing and Human Services. Projected annual revenue between $0 to $900,000.
Estimated Program Expenses
- Est. startup expenses (one-time) $400,000
- Est. annual operations (recurring) $750,000
- Read the Draft Ordinance
- Read the Executive Summary
- Provide Feedback on the proposed ordinance @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>