City Council approves ordinance for landlords
Landlords in Columbus will have to provide contact information, such as phone numbers, for their rental properties under an ordinance that received first approval at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. City officials say the measure is meant to enhance public safety and make it easier for the city to reach property owners. A spill-over crowd packed council chambers, with several landlords speaking out against the proposal. Just before the vote, Councilman Frank Jerome took issue with the tone of some of those protesting the ordinance.
Several landlords say they are concerned for their privacy and personal safety. Laurie Booher was the lone “no” vote.
Brad Grayson is president of the Bartholomew County Landlords Association, representing approximately one-thousand landlords in our area. He says that additional government regulation only hurts tenants and the city’s stated goal of making more affordable housing units available in Columbus…
The ordinance includes a five-dollar registration fee and fines of up to $850 for non-compliance.
The council is scheduled to vote a second, and final, time on the ordinance at its next meeting Jan. 30th.