IREM Members lobby against mandatory inspection fees.(insession)(Institute of Real Estate Management)(Brief article)

IREM Members in Emporia, Kan., are lobbying against a proposed ordinance mandating rental housing licensing and inspections for fees. The "Rental License Registration and Identification" ordinance would charge each property a fee based on the number of units, ranging from $50 for a building with three to six units to $550 for a building with more than 50 units. The city estimates it will generate over $100,000 from the initial licensing fees. Thereafter, each property will have to pay an annual license renewal fee, costing up to $550 a year.

In addition, rental housing properties will be charged for mandatory inspections. Apartment building owners or managers will be charged between $100 and $250 for an inspection. If a building fails an inspection, owners will also be charged a higher non-compliance re-inspection fee.

IREM Wichita Chapter Members have fought the proposal by attending commission meetings, circulating a petition and building a coalition.

For background, read the IREM briefing paper, "Mandatory Inspections of Rental Property by Municipalities for a Fee" located in the Public Policy section of the IREM Web site.

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