By Pat Mattison
Special to the Register Star
Posted Jul. 5, 2014 @ 4:15 pmI would like to know and understand the reason/motivation behind this proposal. My reasons for asking is, in my experience, there are enough governmental restrictions, regulations, edicts and taxes that are becoming unbearable cost burdens.— According to the proposal, 30 percent of all residential housing in Belvidere is rental, non-owner occupied housing.Has the city verified that percentage? What is the exact number of non-owner occupied housing units in Belvidere?—The City Council states that rental housing represents a disproportionate share of the residential housing that has fallen into a state of disrepair. How many rental housing units have been identified in a state of disrepair? How many recorded and verified complaints has the city received of owners with housing units in disrepair?— Registration Required. No landlord shall rent, advertise for rent or offer for rent any unit unless they hold a current and valid registration certificate.What are the required regulations for qualifying for a registration certificate? Is there going to be a cost for a registration certificate? And if there is a charge, what costs will be used to justify the charge? Will the charges be used to add to or expand local government staff — i.e., more government controls that increase rental operations?Each landlord shall maintain a copy of the rental certificate for each unit and shall present it upon demand by any city employee or by any tenant of prospective tenant. Requiring a landlord to provide anything to any employee or any tenant or prospective tenant is unacceptable without notice, direction, verification of purpose to the landlord. The landlord needs to be protected as much the public.— If any unit is not in compliance with the city of Belvidere municipal code ... and after 30 days notice of violation does not cure ... the department may revoke the registration certificate. All leases will be terminated and the unit vacated within 30 days. What prompts this type of regulation at this time? Has there been a series of non-compliance problems with the Belvidere municipal code?— Penalties. Each day that a unit is held or operated in violation ... shall constitute a separate offense. What is the daily penalty for each separate offense?— Any person who violates this article, shall in addition to any other lawful relief, be fined ... plus court costs and costs of prosecution ... including injunctions to prohibit rental and occupancy. What are the projected costs to the violator for this?— Every written lease shall inform the tenant of the maximum number of inhabitants permitted. What are the limits of the city of Belvidere municipal code?
The tenant shall certify in writing to the landlord the name of every person that reside in the unit ... to be provided to the department on demand. The demand terminology is overpowering and creates an “us-you” atmosphere that is confrontational. Are landlords an enemy?
Sum and substance, this article seems to be one of local government power and control. It appears to intimidate and involve the city of Belvidere in the business of residential properties on the assumption that the majority of rental property owners have allowed housing to fall into a state of disrepair. I know of no reach-out by the city to property owners relative to the issues raised. The property owners pay substantial real estate and other taxes to the city of Belvidere, as well as many other local governments.
The point that I am making is, residential-renter property owners do not need any more unnecessary burdensome, costly, tight restrictions put upon them by the city of Belvidere. In this economy, we are all struggling to provide the best service possible, and we need local governments to work with us to provide the best housing possible.
Pat Mattison is a Boone County resident and former County Board member.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140705/Opinion/140709702#ixzz36grgrpY9
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