New proposal targets city's rental property owners

YOUNGSTOWN — Rental property owners would be required to register their properties with and pay a fee to the city under a new proposal.

The city has talked of a rental-property registration program for several years.

Under the proposal, rental-property owners will be required to register their property with the city. Owners will pay $20 per unit for a rental property license. If the property is a multi-family dwelling, owners will be charged $20 for the first unit and $15 for additional units in the structure. The program also requires an inspection of the property.

The city is responding to an increase in the number of rental properties over the years and to ensuring that rents are afforded safe homes, according to a fax sent today by city council.

The city will have public meetings on the program.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.