SHELBY, IN - City officials want more control over the town's multifamily rental unit structures. Many say they are frustrated by what they regard as abuse and violations of local building codes and are pushing for changes in city ordinances to alleviate the problem.
"It's a combination of things that have troubled us," said city building commissioner Tom DeBaun. "There have been repetitive code violations. Also, we've had to dedicate a huge amount of staff time chasing after substandard housing. We at the building commission have felt pressure, almost weekly, from members of the city Board of Public Works and Safety to address the situation."
DeBaun brought a packet of proposed city ordinance changes to Wednesday morning's meeting of the building commission - changes that have been "hammered out" by the city council's ordinance committee, which is waiting for review and feedback from members of the building commission. During Wednesday's meeting, much of the discussion centered around the fact that property owners and landlords are the only people who can be held legally responsible for code violations.
"Yet the tenants themselves cause many of the problems and are not held legally accountable," said commission member Gary Weber of G&T Quality Plumbing Inc. "I know what it's like being a landlord and trying to get people out. It goes through court, and the whole thing becomes absurd. It can take months, sometimes years."
DeBaun countered that he sympathized, saying he is still receiving court-ordered monthly payments from renters who leased rental property he owned five years ago. He said there needs to be some kind of protection for landlords.
"We need some kind of mechanism that offers some landlord forgiveness while recognizing the fact that some landlords don't deserve it," he said. "Another problem is that currently there is no inspection on these multifamily unit structures unless remodeling is done and they apply for permits or we get a citizen complaint."
DeBaun said the building commission will study the proposed ordinance changes and make recommendations to the ordinance committee of the city council.
"This is something that is going to take some time to develop," he said. "After review by the building commission, it will probably go to the city council in about a month. Once passed, it most likely won't become effective until next year. Prior to that, there will be a series of public informational meetings held to educate the public on all of the ordinance and code changes."
Source: shelbynews.com