Talks over a proposal to require city licenses and inspections for rental housing in Longmont is being shelved until at least next March.
City council, Tuesday, opted to put the rental licensing idea off to allow for more study. Council member Joan Peck asked for the delay, saying both sides of the issue need to be heard.
“I think it’s worth a healthy discussion by the council … do we do right or do we do it all,” Peck told council members. “It’s too soon to make a decision right now.”
Councilmember Polly Christensen said voters in the November election could bring in new council members — as well as a new mayor — and they should make the decision on rental licensing. “It’s best decided by a new council,” Christensen said.
A switch to a rental licensing and inspection program has been debated in Longmont as far back as 2003 and again in 2009, according to a city staff report. Last year, council members asked staff members to research a possible ordinance.
A switch from the current system in which tenants largely complain about their housing conditions could cost the city $300,000 a year and progressively increase as rental units age, according to the city staff report.
The city currently uses the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, or IPMC, to help reach compliance on issues raised by tenants about their housing conditions, the staff report states. The city averages about 60 complaints a year.
Longmont also introduced the Crime Free Housing program in May 2010, which partners the Longmont Police Department with landlords to keep their properties safe, the city staff report states. The program includes educating apartment owners about recognizing illegal activity; instilling crime prevention strategies and performing security evaluation inspections.
Owners who successfully complete the program, and the yearly audits, are awarded Crime Free Housing status, the staff report states.
