HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-2015 PH1 WhitneyCOUNCIL MEETING: er 7-0(
ITiM NO.:
To: Mejia, Anthony
Subject: RE: Rental Inspection Program
PH 105/05/2015
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC I City Clerk
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
tel 1 805.781.7102
From: Sharon Whitney [mailto :whitney.sharon @gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2015 2:29 PM
To: Marx, Jan; Ashbaugh, John; Christianson, Carlyn; Carpenter, Dan; Rivoire, Dan
Cc: Mejia, Anthony
Subject: Rental Inspection Program
Dear Mayor and Council members,
RECGlVE
MAY 2015
LO
I support the staff - recommended program for pro- active residential rental inspections in our city. I believe
this program will contribute in a practical way to the City's goal of neighborhood wellness. It increases the
probability that the myriad numbers of city residents needing or wanting to rent safe living spaces at fair
prices can find such spaces. I believe it will also benefit the myriad numbers of scrupulous landlords of such
spaces because it has the potential of driving out those who are responsible for neighborhood blight by
renting substandard living spaces.
A complaint- driven system of inspections works fine for scrupulous landlords. Unfortunately, our high- demand
market attracts unscrupulous landlords who can take advantage of people who will rent anything just to have
a roof over their heads. Such unscrupulous landlords get away with neglecting their legal duty of care to their
renters or lessees. And self- interest in such a competitive market might even invite the normally scrupulous to
cut corners.
I believe our City staff have done their homework in trying to craft a program that is fair in its operation and
distribution of start -up and maintenance costs. I believe these costs are well worth it because they help
achieve the City's goal of neighborhood wellness. I do not believe it adds an undue burden to the services the
City should provide for its residents. I believe it puts our City on the side of people who might otherwise be
easily taken advantage of.
Sharon Whitney
We are all teachers and students for each other.