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CC Work Session <br />Meeting Date: 02/14/2023 <br />Information <br />Title: <br />Discussion on Rental Licensing Inspections <br />2.1. <br />Purpose/Background: <br />This discussion follows the January 24 City Council work session discussion on Crime -Free Housing as part of <br />the strategic plan. A proactive inspection program is an important accompaniment to the Crime -Free Housing <br />program. <br />The current proactive program Ramsey has only involves inspecting common areas and mechanical systems in <br />mulit-family buildings by the Fire Department for Fire Code related issues. <br />Residents of Ramsey who live in rental homes generally do not have the right to make repairs to their homes. <br />Often, they do not want to report the needed repairs for fear of being evicted. Code Enforcement staff has <br />responded to residents' complaints regarding their properties and provided the property owners with correction <br />notices to get the work done. Follow-up ensures the repairs are made. Code Enforcement also receives <br />complaints from neighbors of rental properties on maintenance issues inside and outside of those homes. A <br />proactive regular inspection program helps keep the residents out of having to make a complaint to get needed <br />repairs done. The inspections focus on life -safety matters involving furnaces, water heaters, and smoke/CO <br />detectors, as well as property maintenance issues like properly working doors, chipped and peeling paint, and yard <br />maintenance. <br />Ramsey has just over 1,000 apartment units and approximately 500 active single-family/townhome rental <br />licenses. A large portion of these units are owned by a small number of corporate out-of-state rental companies <br />that have track records in other communities of minimal maintenance. <br />Many neighboring and nearby communities have successful Crime -Free programs with proactive license <br />inspections of all units, including Andover, Elk River, and Champlin. <br />Timeframe: <br />20 minutes <br />Funding Source: <br />None identified at this time. Most licensing programs are completely funded through license fees. It is <br />anticipated that a rental inspector will need to be hired and provided with necessary equipment and a vehicle to <br />carry out the inspections. A preliminary estimate can be made prior to future discussions. <br />Responsible Party(ies): <br />Outcome: <br />Please provide direction on this topic. <br />Attachments <br />No files) attached. <br />