Mt. Pleasant officials are working on a system of enforcement for a long-neglected ordinance requiring landlords to have rental units inspected between tenants.
The inspection process is one way the borough is trying to regulate rental housing.
"We have to do some work to tighten up this system," Mayor Gerald Lucia said. "We're missing too many."
The mayor asked council to consider requiring landlords to post a sticker in a unit's window to show an inspection was performed. He said the police department could alert the borough of vacant apartments during routine patrol.
The idea for stickers came when Lucia began receiving inquiries from neighbors about specific properties. He said there is no way for neighbors -- or officials, for that matter -- to know if a unit is inspected.
"Do we know offhand if they called in an inspection? No," he said. "The sticker is going to tell the tale."
Inspections are required each time a tenant moves into a residential or commercial unit in the borough. The cost is $15 and is paid by landlords.
"The inspections are not only for wiring and fire alarms, but also to help the landlords," Lucia said. "They have someone come and see a place before a tenant moves in just in case it gets tore up."
Borough Manager Jeff Landy said the resolution has been enforced more frequently in the past few months. The rate is about five units per week, he said.
"I think the community could help us with this," Lucia said. "Make sure the house next door is inspected before someone moves in."
Enforcement of inspections is part of an effort started in July to regulate landlords.
Council held a controversial ordinance July 25 that included stricter fees, monitoring and inspections of rental properties. The ordinance also would require on-site managers.
In response to complaints, council has invited landlords to attend a 7 p.m. work session Aug. 21 to discuss the ordinance. They will also accept input on Lucia's inspection enforcement ideas.
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