New ordinance increases
inspections
By Kyle Boggs
Staff
Writer
Many houses in West Lafayette are unsafe, dilapidated
and deteriorated to the point that makes them almost unlivable.
This is because 66 percent of all housing units
in West Lafayette are rented and don't require much inspection between
tenants.
Mayor Sonya Margerum has devised a plan that will
attempt to fix the problem.
A new housing ordinance, which requires more frequent
rental inspections for single-family dwellings in West Lafayette, will
go into affect as of July 1.
The new code is intended to crack down on those
who purchase a single-family home and then rent it out to Purdue students.
Because there are so many houses rented by students,
the current inspection process still leaves houses in a broken down,
unsafe state.
"Because the city is overwhelmed with the number
of units, I felt there was a need to increase inspection fees in order
to protect tenants," said Margerum. "That is the best way to improve
the neighborhoods and maintain a balance."
The new ordinance will require landlords to hire
inspectors more often. The cost of these inspections will go from $75
every other year to $150 every year.
"We want to make sure houses are safe, and increasing
inspection fees will make sure of this," said city council member Patty
O'Callaghan.
Concerns with the new ordinance stems from the
possibility that landlords may pass this new fee onto tenants in their
rent.
However, Margerum is not concerned about this.
"Right now the city is in the process of constructing
1,400 new apartment structures," said Margerum. "This will lower the
need for housing, and therefore will lower the cost."
The actions of landlords will be monitored as closely
as possible and after the new code has been in effect for two years
its progress will be evaluated by the council.
"We feel that in the long run we are looking out
for the best interests of the students who rent," said O'Callaghan.
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