ESSEX JCT., Vt. (WCAX) – Essex Junction is reconsidering a rental registry and inspection program after similar efforts on the divisive topic were put on the back burner earlier this year.
After lots of feedback from community members, the City Council on Wednesday is taking up a more phased-in approach. It would start with gathering data on the number of rentals which will then be used to recommend an inspection program.
The city says an inspection program would keep residents safer, help first responders in emergencies, and help connect landlords to resources to improve their properties. Under the previous proposal which was tabled in February, an annual fee was included for landlords to register their property.
Some property owners say they still don’t see the point of a registry, saying it will raise rent prices and that most new construction already is subject to yearly inspections.
“All that stuff is inspected every single year. We enter every single apartment every single year already, so adding another intrusive inspection into a tenant’s lives is unnecessary and burdensome,” said Shawn Handy with Gabe Handy Rental Properties.
If the city moves forward Wednesday night it would only authorize a rental registry program with the intention of transitioning to a rental registry and inspection program in the future.