Landlords protest Florissant law requiring annual city inspection

FLORISSANT A city plan to conduct annual inspections of some rental properties is being challenged by landlords who say the effort is unnecessary and too expensive.

[Florissant Landlord]

Very hard to understand how the city thinks it can get away with going after renters of homes while leaving the large apartments complexes alone. Must be a fear of the lawyers working for large companies who own the complexes. I guess they figure the small landlord with only a few properties can't afford to fight the law.

[So Sad]

Florissant Landlord wrote:

Very hard to understand how the city thinks it can get away with going after renters of homes while leaving the large apartments complexes alone. Must be a fear of the lawyers working for large companies who own the complexes. I guess they figure the small landlord with only a few properties can't afford to fight the law.

The current subprime mortgage crisis and the aging housing stock in Florissant opens the area for a potential surge in rental and section 8 properties. Note the following quote:

“St. Louis County Chief Executive Officer Garry Earls said the majority of the foreclosure problems are centered in North County, although some small pockets exist in South County as well. Earls told the committee their research has found the common characteristics of foreclosed homes are that they were built in 1954, have an appraised value of $116,000, are 1,200 square-feet in size and exist in moderate income neighborhoods.”

In my opinion, I would encourage the residents to press for biannual inspections of rental properties.

[Look Out]

Without such inspections, we "homeowners" next door to the rental unit are faced with the diffucult situation of the " who care's, I only rent attitude" that a very high percentage of renters have. It's a well known fact that the owner of an item, takes far more care, and pride in there proterty then the said renter. Hence some type of safeguard(s) must be put in place to protect the value of all "homeowners ".

[J-Dub in Ward 8]

This story isn't available anymore?

Anyone happen to keep a copy of it?

[Beetlejuice]

And how do we combat the outoftown landlords who do not maintain their property in hopes of seeing the average base price of other properties in that area decline, so they can buy more rental property at a cheaper price. Council looked at an ordinance modelled after the Ferguson bill but instead Council was cowed by invasion of privacy threats from a very small vocal minority.

The main problem was the way our inspections were done. They need to be issued and reinspected by the same inspector, that eliminates petty and time consuming reinspections. That problem has been solved and hopefully we can do SOMETHING to maintain our property values.

It also will be interesting to see how the Council votes on the upcoming trash enclosure issue also.

[slumlord]

The city talked about this over a year ago....and the "landlords" (slumlords) turned out in record numbers to protest....and it just went away. I would not say the crowd was small (one of the biggest crowds I have seen at meeting)....but based on 50,000 population...they were the minority...and VERY VOCAL. Too bad more homeowners did not show their support.

[fed up]

I have rental homes all over my block. The one next door to me had grass well over two feet high. My husband call the Health Department and that same day a health department officer came out and taped a pink slip to the door. she was home but would not answer the door. I had also talked to the landlord of this property and I think he was the one who was responsible for the grass being finally cut. There are lawns all over Florissant that look like hers. I encourage everyone with a neighbor who won't keep up their lawn to call the Health Department, you can call city hall and they will transfer you. If everyone calls and complains maybe something can be done.

[Webguy]

slumlord wrote:

The city talked about this over a year ago....and the "landlords" (slumlords) turned out in record numbers to protest....and it just went away. I would not say the crowd was small (one of the biggest crowds I have seen at meeting)....but based on 50,000 population...they were the minority...and VERY VOCAL. Too bad more homeowners did not show their support.

I would think this time around it would have huge support !!!

[So Sad]

Beetlejuice wrote:

And how do we combat the outoftown landlords who do not maintain their property in hopes of seeing the average base price of other properties in that area decline, so they can buy more rental property at a cheaper price.

I think I saw Paul McKee Jr. driving around in Florissant yesterday (:

[Pethead]

I am not familiar with the laws regarding rental units in Florissant. But I would hope that every time a renter vacates the property that an inspection would occur. I consider a rental house very similar to a homeowner who sells their house to a new owner.

The individual who purchases a home must have inspections. So why not inspect rental property that changes occupants?

[slumlord]

Florissant rental units (houses and apts) have to have a complete inside and outside inspection on change of occupancy. Landlords are required to have a rental license...so the city knows who they are..and how to contact them. If a landlord has problems with one or more of his units....the city can refuse to issue his license for next year.

Someone mentioned the Ferguson ordinance...that may have more "teeth" than flo mo. But there are also a lot of problems with their ordiance. What the city looked at a few years ago when the slumlords revolted....was to require annual inspection of all rental property...not just when there was a change of occupancy. But it was argued that it was a cost (for inspection and for the owner to take off work to be there) that would be passed on to renters. And they said it could be challenged in court as it discriminated against rental propery....and did not apply to owner occupied property.

I say....just make the call...drop the dime on your neighbor or people you see who's house looks like trash (owner or rental). I reported 3 last week...and they never asked my name or for my address. I just gave them the address and asked that someone check it for violations. Within a day or two....all three were checked out and given warning notices. One is corrected, one is being worked on...and if they are not done is the time given...I am told they will get a ticket and have to go to court.

[OLD town MOM]

slumlord wrote:

Florissant rental units (houses and apts) have to have a complete inside and outside inspection on change of occupancy. Landlords are required to have a rental license...so the city knows who they are..and how to contact them. If a landlord has problems with one or more of his units....the city can refuse to issue his license for next year.
Someone mentioned the Ferguson ordinance...that may have more "teeth" than flo mo. But there are also a lot of problems with their ordiance. What the city looked at a few years ago when the slumlords revolted....was to require annual inspection of all rental property...not just when there was a change of occupancy. But it was argued that it was a cost (for inspection and for the owner to take off work to be there) that would be passed on to renters. And they said it could be challenged in court as it discriminated against rental propery....and did not apply to owner occupied property.
I say....just make the call...drop the dime on your neighbor or people you see who's house looks like trash (owner or rental). I reported 3 last week...and they never asked my name or for my address. I just gave them the address and asked that someone check it for violations. Within a day or two....all three were checked out and given warning notices. One is corrected, one is being worked on...and if they are not done is the time given...I am told they will get a ticket and have to go to court.

Ahhhh, a++++++ advice. We all need to speak up on these rental properties. I have plenty around me, even one across the street. The original poster (I think) mentioned the "rental attitude" and I couldn't agree more ...behind us, the couple rents from a family member and they even have the "rental attitude".

Don't be afraid because if you don't make the health department aware of a problem, it's likely they will ever know there IS a problem.