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Malpracticing landlords are going to face their worst fears. The Orono Community Development Committee reconvened Tuesday night to discuss a proposed rental property occupancy permit ordinance. The ordinance will have a significant affect on the state of rented property in Orono that is not up to fire and life safety codes.
Town council representative Geoffrey Gordon implied that University of Maine students often get taken advantage of.
“The landlord has the responsibility to maintain their property; not for themselves or the community, but for the well-being of the tenant,” he said.
A code enforcement officer will inspect rented properties based on complaints filed by the tenants. Inspections may also be issued by order of the town council. Landlords who do not meet the performance standards for their property will have a reasonable amount of time to fix the problem. If improvements are not completed in the time allotted, their permit will be revoked.
Two of the issues landlords must deal with to satisfy the town council are parking and trash receptacles. The town is concerned that there are often more tenants than some properties allow, causing parking lots to be extended onto other properties and lawns.
The town is also concerned with the amount of trash tenants generate. Trash receptacles are often not large enough or do not get emptied often enough. These are responsibilities some landlords have placed upon their tenants and now will have to take action on themselves.
“It’s refreshing to know that the town is making the effort to keep landlords focused on their property and our well-being,” said junior and tenant J.W. Grabarz.
Complaints issued by tenants will be considered seriously, but the town plans to ignore those who make continuous frivolous complaints and those making complaints in an attempt to break a lease.
Gordon summed up his view of the purpose of the ordinance.
“The plan is to create an environment in which tenants and landlords have a medium to work through to create a healthier and safer living environment for the tenant,” he said.
