HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2017 - UpdegroveCOUNCIL MEETING: 24(,- JZ=
ITEM NO.: R f1+' FEB 16 2017
From: Graham Updegrove [
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:18 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.o>
Subject: 2-16-17 - Rental Inspection Program
Dear City Council,
I urge you to repeal the Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance. I will try to keep my comments short and
highlight three issues I have with the adoption of this ordinance.
1. I respect your positions as elected officials, however in this scenario where a supermajority of City residents
are directly affected by Council's actions, I believe a vote by residents would have been more appropriate.
Approximately 62% of the population is affected as renters plus the additional unknown percentage of landlords
who own and live in SLO, who are also affected. Only 1 of the 5 council members who adopted this program
was directly affected. This does not equate to democracy - let the people decide if this program is necessary.
2. A broken process was in place prior to the adoption of the RHIO and it doesn't appear staff recommended
trying to fix it. The complaint drive code enforcement process could have been revamped, staff added, or
otherwise improved. Many homeowners have detailed their past attempts to have code enforcement address
known or suspected code enforcement issues, yet in many cases, there was no resolution. Instead of trying to
make the complaint driven process work, additional government regulation has been added.
3. I do not understand the argument that the RHIO provides code enforcement staff better ability to access rental
units. With or without the ordinance, if a tenant refuses access, an inspection warrant is required. I would prefer
to see staff time spent on obtaining inspection warrants, when necessary, to address complaints rather than
inspecting all rental properties.
Solution - Repeal the RHIO, revamp the complaint driven system with improved policy and timelines to resolve
complaints, improve advocacy for tenant's rights in conjunction with Cal Poly and aggressively go after
properties that have known issues.
Thank you for your consideration of these ideas.
Regards,
Graham Updegrove
Broker Associate, BRE #01873454
California Coastal Real Estate I