MIDDLETOWN

BOROUGH
RESIDENTIAL
RENTAL LICENSING & INSPECTION PROPOSAL

PRESENTED BY DIANA MCGLONE

Proposal Background
Compila(on of other municipali(es who have
ini(ated Residen(al Rental inspec(on
programs
Li(tz, Highspire, Elizabethtown

Act as star(ng point of discussions

Purpose of the Rental Program

Protect and promote the public health, safety
and welfare of its ci(zens
Establish rights and obliga(ons of owners and
occupants rela(ng to residen(al rental units
Encourage owners and occupants to maintain
and improve the quality of rental housing

Why is Borough considering this?

Growing concern with the failure of some property
owners to properly maintain residen(al rental units
Records indicate greater incidence of problems with
the maintenance and upkeep of residen(al proper(es
which are not owner-occupied
A systema(c inspec(on process can avoid life-
threatening problems, such as a lack of func(oning
smoke & carbon monoxide detectors

Housing data about our Borough

*taken from Borough Economic Strategic Development Plan May 2014

What proper<es does this eect?

Rental units occupied for residen(al purposes
Dwelling units
Rooming units
Unit occupied by any persons other than one occupied
solely by the owner and members of the owners family

Each individual townhouse dwelling, each individual

apartment unit, each individual unit in a mul(-family
building, and each rooming unit shall be considered a
separate residen(al rental unit.

 Proper<es this does not eect

Owner-Occupied Dwelling Units, provided that not more than two
unrelated individuals, in addi(on to the Owner and his/her rela(ves,
occupy the Dwelling Unit at any given (me
Hospitals, nursing homes and personal care homes
Bed and Breakfast Homes
One dwelling unit that is on the same lot as a second dwelling unit,
provided the two dwellings are only occupied by the owner and persons
who are "related" to the owner. Ex) In-law quarters
On-campus dormitories owned by an accredited college or universi(es

DUTIES OF OWNERS OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS

Keep and maintain all premises in good and safe
condi(on
Employ policies to and actually manage the
residen(al rental units under control
Pay or ensure payment of all real estate taxes,
sewer & water charges, and trash collec(on fees

DUTIES OF OWNERS OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS

Owner reside within 30 miles of borough limits
Outside 30 miles, a manager must be designated who
resides within 30 miles of borough limits
Provide the Borough with the name, mailing address
and telephone number of a manager
No Residen(al Rental License shall be issued to any
owner residing more than 30 miles from the
municipal limits of the Borough

DUTIES OF OWNERS AND MANAGERS

Obtain and maintain a Residen(al Rental
License for each residen(al rental unit
Require a wri[en rental agreement for each
residen(al rental unit which shall include the
names of all permi[ed occupants

DUTIES OF OWNERS AND MANAGERS

Display the License in the unit, include the
following informa(on:
a) The name, address and telephone number of the
owner/manager.
b) Expira(on date of the Residen(al Rental License.
c) Garbage and recycling dates of collec(on
d) Phone number for local police, re and medical
services

DUTIES OF OCCUPANTS
Use the residen(al rental unit for no purpose
other than as a residence
Allow the Codes Enforcement Ocial to
inspect the residen(al rental unit
Use the trash and recyclable collec(on
provided & place trash out for weekly pickup

INSPECTION
Owner/manager shall register with and make
wri[en applica(on to the Borough for a License
Newly constructed residen(al rental units
Rehabilitated residen(al rental units

Inspec<ons - How oNen and when?

Required year indicated, and every 3 years a`er the ini(al
inspec(on and upon sale or transfer of property
Municipality

InspecAons increments

Elizabethtown

2 years

Highspire

3 years

Li(tz

3 years

What will inspec<on address?

OCCUPANCY
Gross Over Occupancy

EXTERIOR STRUCTURE
Unapproved/Nonexistent premise iden(ca(on (House Numbers)
Roof drainage system in disrepair/obstructed
Exterior decks, staircases & railings and private sidewalks

FRONT/BACK DOORS
Not opera(onal / In need of repair
Exterior doors lock

What will inspec<on address?

GENERAL INTERIOR

Excessive accumula(on of rubbish or garbage

Presence of insect and/or rodent infesta(on
Evidence of prolonged unsanitary condi(ons
Mold present & Structural issues
INTERIOR STAIRS and HANDRAILS/GUARDRAILS

In disrepair
Handrails & Guardrails present

What will inspec<on address?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Exposed wiring present

Light xture(s) inoperable, missing or damaged
Cover plates damaged or missing, GFIs where needed
Receptacle damaged, and warrant replacement

PLUMBING
Required plumbing xture(s) not working or missing
Water heater incapable of providing 110 degrees F to
xtures
Hot water heater inoperable or improperly installed
Missing/improperly installed water heater discharge pipe

What will inspec<on address?

HEATING / VENTILATION SYSTEM

Improper heat source

Exhaust fan not vented to outside of building (bath)
Proper dryer ven(la(on
Flammable materials improperly stored

WINDOWS

One window in each habitable area must open

EMERGENCY EXITS (EGRESS)

Unsafe or obstructed path to the public way

Emergency escape opening not opera(onal

Who will conduct inspec<ons?

Code Department sta
Code Enforcement Ocer
Open posi(on

2 Part Time Code ocials

David McDermo[
Open posi(on

Commonwealth Codes
Robert Moyer, currently Ac(ng Code Enforcement
ocer

What if Viola<ons are found?

Issue a 30 Day No(ce of Viola(on
A`er 30 days from the date of the 30 Day
No(ce
Re-inspec(on will be done. If re-inspec(on
reveals that the viola(ons are not corrected
Legal Ac(on Warning shall be issued

Re-inspec<ons
A fee will be charged for each re-inspec(on
Borough ocial shall maintain a list of all
residen(al rental units and their ownership
and any infrac(ons found

SALE OR TRANSFER OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNITS

License shall not be transferred

New owner shall seek a License for each residen(al
rental unit and have each residen(al rental unit
inspected
If eec(ve date is within 6 months of purchase, current
license can be transferred to new owner

Failure to seek a Residen(al Rental Unit License for

each residen(al rental unit within (30) days of the
date of sale or transfer of ownership shall result in
license being revoked

License
Required for all occupied Rental Units within 120
days a`er the eec(ve date of Ordinance
Valid eec(ve thru expired date based on inspec(on
frequency

A Residen(al Rental License shall not be issued

or renewed un(l:
All overdue real estate taxes and their outstanding
fees that are owed to the borough of Middletown or
its authori(es have been paid in full

Fees in reference to rental inspec<ons

Middletown

LiAtz

Elizabethtown

Applica(on/License

$40
$40 yearly $48 yearly per unit
Length of
per unit
license
* min 3 years

Inspec(on

$ 0

$50

$35/hour

Failure to obtain license $350

$ 500

$200 min - $1000 max

Re-inspec(on *Viola(on $30

occurred during ini(al
inspec(on

$35

$50

Future discussion dates

Borough Hall 7 PM
March 2
March 23
April 6
Diana McGLONE
Middletown Borough Council
717.329.8102 dmcglone@middletownborough.com