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Boardman officials mull rental fees
BOARDMAN
Township officials made it known Monday that they want to create a rental-property registration program similar to the one in Youngstown.
Trustee Chairman Brad Calhoun, Administrator Jason Loree and Zoning Inspector Anna Mamone met with Youngstown officials last week to discuss how the city’s program operates, from fee structures to employees.
“We believe we can do this as a home-rule township,” Loree told trustees at their regular board meeting.
“Our attorney has been contacted, and he’s preparing language and a possible ordinance and ... we want to hold meetings to go over how we would establish such a program,” Loree said.
The goal would be to ensure rental-property owners are complying with township ordinances by allowing inspectors inside the properties. The township already has zoning ordinances for the property exteriors, but would have to create regulations for interiors, too.
Mamone said the program would help build a rapport with property owners and tenants and increase communication between them and the township.
“If there’s a zoning violation, we are sending letters to the residents. Sometimes we know who the landlord is, or we approach residents, who sometimes disregard the letter,” Mamone said.
Boardman has about 5,300 rentals based on 2010 census data, Loree said.
Youngstown’s program requires rental-property owners to pay the city $20 per unit for an annual license after a safety inspection.
The city has two exceptions for registration: vacant properties and federally subsidized properties, which already are inspected by a government agency.
The city used a federal grant to start the registration program, including hiring someone to implement and oversee the program at a rate of $2,225 per month. Boardman likely would have to fund the program using general-fund money.
Boardman officials said although the program is in its infancy, they support the idea.
“We just want more information,” Calhoun said.