Summary of Oxford Village’s proposed residential rental registration/inspection ord.

The proposed ordinance would compel owners of residential rental units within the village to complete and file a registration form with the building official and zoning department.

Landlords would be required to provide unit location and contact information, details regarding the number and types of rental units and the maximum number of occupants proposed for each unit, and information about the size of all “habitable rooms.”

There would be no fee to register, however, an initial inspection would be required within 60 days of registration and cost $25.

The ordinance allows for future inspections if complaints about the rental property are made to the village.

It also allows inspections based on referrals from police and fire departments, local inspectors and public agencies; if the exterior of the unit gives the enforcing officer “probable cause to believe the premises are in violation” of the ordinance; or if it’s reported or observed that a unit is “unoccupied and unsecured” or damaged by fire.

If violations are found as a result of a complaint, the owner would be charged an inspection fee of $35.

“If the complaint turned out to be bogus and without merit, there’s no inspection fee,” said village attorney Bob Davis, who noted this was done because the village understands that “sometimes tenants and landlords have disputes” and officials didn’t want this ordinance to be used as a battleground.

If re-inspections are required as a result of the initial inspection’s findings and/or a notice of deficiency from the village, the first one would be free, however, the second one would be $100 and additional inspections after that would cost $200 each, under the proposed ordinance.

When an inspection is required, the enforcing officer “may request permission” to enter the rental premises “at any reasonable time.” Permission to access the premises can be granted by the owner, his or her agent, a tenant or any other occupant, according to the proposed ordinance.

“If there is an emergency, then the enforcing officer shall have the right to enter at any time,” the proposed ordinance states.

For non-emergency situations in which the enforcing officer is refused entry, the proposed ordinance requires obtaining a warrant from a court.

The enforcing officer would be the village building official or a duly-authorized representative.

Violation of this proposed ordinance would be considered a civil infraction.

 

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