HomeMy WebLinkAboutA008 - memo from Board of Directoros of Ames Rental Property Owners Association with comments eV ca liict+�e...a�xxnsxw
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November 14, 1980
TO: Mayor of Ames and Members of the Ames City Council
FROM: Board of Directors of the Ames Rental Property Owners Association
SUBJECT: New Rental Housing Code
Dear Mayor Goodland and Council Members:
In response to the request by council for our comments on the proposed code the
Board of Directors of A.R.P.O.A. met Thursday November 6th to discuss the effects
of the newly proposed city rental housing code. The following are some of the
items that we think would warrant improvement on the new housing rental code:
1) Section 13.3 - 13
It would appear to us that this has unreasonable restraint on property ownership
and should be changed specifically for out-of-town owners of duplexes and smaller
amounts of units.
2) Section 13.4 - 2
It would appear to us that this paragraph would be impossible to administer.
We think that the City would have to be involved in removing persons from property
after 30 days because present laws do not provide for that kind of removal.
3) Section 13.4 - 7
We are not sure that a civil penalty is a legal charge. It would appear to us
that this would be a duplicate charge in that the inspection fee allowed paid in
paragraph 7 provides for recovery of all costs by inspection office.
4) Section 13.10 - 1
The word "substantially" should be inserted between "to" and "conform", thereby
giving the inspector some leeway in determination of compliance.
5) Section 13.11 - 7A
The term of one week to abate a non-compliance is too short a time. Many time
parts for air conditioners, stoves, etc. may take two to three weeks to obtain.
6) Section 13.8
This should read "A letter of compliance issued for dwelling units shall be effective
unless revoked pursuant to Section 13.11. " In other words, the change of ownership
or operation should have nothing to do with revoking a letter of compliance.
Mayor of Ames and Members of the Ames City Council
November 14, 1980
Page 2
7) Section 13. 38 - 1A
Most landlords provide for the inspection of the letter of compliance at the
applicant 's option at the landlord' s office. We think this is ade uate and
displaying the letter on the premises would be very undesirable.
We feel that the rent escrow paragraph should be dropped entirely Lecause repair
and deduct will handle most everything they are trying to accomplish.
Finally it is a fact that the State of Iowa is the largest owner of rental property
in our community. We feel that to have an effective standard of rental housing
in our City, ALL rental units should come under the jurisdiction of the new rental
housing code. Anything short of that would be discriminatory.
Your consideration is appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
AMES RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS ASSN.
R hard K. Friedri .
President
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