By Chris Orlet Record Managing Editor Wright City officials want to fine landlords who do not inform the city when new tenants occupy their rental properties. Whether the city has the authority to fine landlords is being researched by city officials. City Treasurer Karen Girando said landlords are supposed to notify city hall whenever a new tenant occupies a rental unit. Similarly, the new tenant or landlord is supposed to have the property inspected, sign up for water, trash and sewer services and receive an occupancy permit. There is no charge for the occupancy permit. Failure to register with the city means the tenant will not receive a services bill. “Sometimes the landlord thinks the tenant is paying for the services and the tenant thinks the landlord is paying for them,” said Girando. This leads to the tenant receiving “astronomical” water bills, once the city learns someone is occupying the property. Girando says the city may learn about a tenant when it reads vacant meters. “We just started reading vacant meters,” she said. City officials use radio frequency to read active meters, and, as of this year, vacant meters. The city reads meters every three months. “Now if we come up with a reading on a vacant meter we can send staff out to verify that there is someone living there and using services. If it is a rental we contact the landlord,” said Girando. Aldermen were also concerned that unregistered tenants could mean a property has not been inspected for health and safety violations. “If you’ve got a landlord who turns over a dozen renters over six years there could be safety violations and unsafe conditions,” said Alderman Jim Schuchmann. “Landlords need to notify the city at every change of occupancy.” City Attorney Paul Rost said there needs to be a requirement in the occupancy permit ordinance that the landlord notify the city of reoccupancy and failure to do so is a penalty. City Clerk Christine Martin was asked to compare the city’s occupancy permit with other nearby cities. “There is a fine for running a red light, why is there no fine for failing to notify the city of a new tenant?” asked Schuchmann. Added Schuchmann, “Until we fine the landlord and get the word out there and show the landlords we’re serious there will continue to be a problem.” In other action: The board heard from Scenic Regional Library Director Steve Campbell who said if the tax increase on the April ballot goes through there could be two new branches in Warren County, most likely in Wright City and Marthasville. The board voted to hire Marie Hollenbeck as court clerk at $13.50 an hour.
City officials want landlords to notify city about new tenants
