Published: September 18, 2008 02:21 pm      

Inspection program set for Del City

The city of Del City is taking proactive measures to deal with the ever-important issue of renters living in unsafe and unsanitary living conditions.

As a result of the influx of “slumlords” who offer unlivable housing to people who often have few residential options, the city is now requiring properties to meet life-safety and proper property maintenance before they can be occupied, said Tom Leatherbee, Del City city planner.

The requirements deal with safety issues and do not extend to cosmetic issues. Only one and two bedroom places are currently required to comply and the initiative does not extend to apartment complexes.

“The good, honest, hard working residents of this city are the ones paying the price,” Leatherbee said. “Our goal is to take the houses and make these houses stabilized, safe and sanitary.”

Leatherbee said often these houses are bought in bulk by individuals who may not even live in the state. They are bought for tax benefit purposes, and the additional rent “is just gravy.” This practice often leads to legitimate landlords getting a bad reputation, and can also lead to situations that are dangerous for renters and the surrounding community. These dangers can include unsafe water heaters that can result in a build up in carbon monoxide, as well as inept wiring and electrical issues that can result in fire.

In addition to the dangers, the run-down houses can also have an adverse effect on nearby property values.

Leatherbee pointed out that the houses the city is dealing with are not being trashed by tenants, but are already in disrepair when a person moves in. Often, he said, the slumlord will instruct a tenant that they’re not allowed to go into a certain room or something similar, typically because that part of the house is unlivable.

Under the new housing inspection program, the owner/occupant will have to apply for a certificate of occupancy before moving into a property. The inspection will then take place following a standard checklist designed to insure that inspections are fair and consistent. The inspection will focus on life-safety issues and major property maintenance code violations.

If problems are found, the owner will be given “ reasonable time” to resolve the issues. The city has an inspector dedicated to this program and inspections will be conducted within 72 hours of the occupancy application, under normal circumstances.

Del City is enacting this program in an effort to protect tenants and the surrounding community. Leatherbee pointed out that often the farther away the landlord lives from the property, the worse shape it’s usually in. The decreasing property values often call for an increase in city services and many times the city is left to foot the bill of these dilapidated homes.

The certificates of occupancy can be obtained from the Del City City Hall.