Local City Government - Another Reason to Invest Out of Area

Rehabbing, Fix and Flip, Rental Properties
1

The following letter is starting to appear in mailbox of tenants around our great city - just another reason I’m thinking of moving to a more landlord friendly state. I find this offensive, I wonder what tenants are thinking.

Tg

===============================================

Dear Residential Tenant:

On January 23, 2007, the Lancaster City Council adopted the Residential
Rental Property Inspection Program. The purpose of the program is to
ensure that residents of rental units are afforded decent, safe and
sanitary housing.

City staff will accomplish the objectives of the program by conducting
inspections of the interior and exterior areas of residential rental
properties and the yards. As a general rule, property owners will be
required to correct prohibited conditions of the residential rental
property.

As a resident, your consent for the inspection of the interior and
exterior areas of the residential rental property and yards is
requested. Please confirm your permission by signing the consent form
that is on page two of this document.

You are welcome to be present during the inspection. Your landlord or
an agent may also be present.

City staff will conduct the inspection in the shortest possible time
while properly performing their duties. They may take photographs of
conditions in the interior and exterior areas of the residential rental
property and yards, that are, or may be, contrary to state and local
laws.

You will receive a copy of the City’s correction notices once the City’s
investigation is completed.

You have a right to deny consent for a City inspection. In this event,
City staff may apply to the superior court for an inspection warrant
(i.e., a court order that requires the City to inspect your premises
without your consent). In cases where a reasonable belief exists that a
very hazardous, unsafe or dangerous condition may be present, City staff
may enter your premises without an inspection warrant.

If you have any questions concerning the Program, or this document,
please call Joyce Foxworth, Administrative Aide, Code Enforcement
Division at (661) 723-6172.

2

Blue…definately blue.

Keith

3

It’s happening in many areas across the country and has been implemented where I am for 15 years now…there is a grassroots landlord organization that has been formed as a result of it and they fight the inspection process stating among other things that it is unconstitutional, involves unauthorised tresspass, etc…

I think they may have to contact the property owner of record for inspection, and cannot bypass them and make an appointment directly with tenants, check with local legal counsel to find out your rights…

Personally I favor the inspection process as it tends to weed out unscrupulous and “fly by the seat of the pants, aquire as much property as you can leave it in sub-par condition and undercut local rents with additional cash flow and saved money by not improving properties” landlords…

Increases tenant pool for inspected and approved propeties…

4

I say if the tenant lets them in adn they find somwthing then fix it. Then raise the rent because it is now a new and improved house. These guys are doing self gentrification.

5

I have a REAL problem with the city/state/US government coordinating with tenants about inspections of MY property (not the tenants’ property, MY property)!

I would insure that it was as difficult as possible for them to pursue this route and as easy as possible for them to coordinate inspections through me as the property owner. I have nothing to hide in my units. If the tenants choose to live as pigs, I would document that and not renew their lease.

Keith

6

I’m sure they are more than ready to hassle property owners over busted toilets handles and wobby handrails, but will ignor the fact that 17 people are living in the house and nobody speak English or had a US govt issued ID.

seriously, I have to put up with this in a small town in VA, but its never been a problem. However, they do notify me (the property owner) of pending inspections and I interface with my tenants. I’m guessing the reason they need to get tenant consent is there is a state law that random inspections of leased property is not allowed.

Mexi-fornia Mike

7

I think this stuff is bogus. They shouldn’t be allowed to do this.

Even though I rent to higher income military officers and keep my rentals in good quality, I still don’t think I should have to take time out of my day to allow a city official to inspect my properties. Plus I would have to organize with my tenants and I don’t feel like bothering tenants who pay good money every month.

How often are they doing these inspections?

8

Yearly.

I do agree with Keith’s comment of:

However, I would really go @p3$h!7 over:

:shocked
I’m not a Constitutional lawyer, but… what right does the government have to enter a citizen’s/non-citizen’s/tenant’s/landlord’s/owner’s premise without consent and without a warrant? I see this going down the way of: Give us your permission, if you don’t we’ll get it from the courts, if they don’t we’ll enter anyway.