Summit, property owners discuss apartment inspections

By Carol McGowan

Nearly 75 people attended a community meeting last Wednesday evening in the multi-purpose room of Graves School to learn about changes coming to the village.

Three topics highlighted the meeting. Rental property inspections, lead line replacement, and replacing the 74th Avenue pedestrian bridge.

Mayor Sergio Rodriguez tackled the controversial rental property inspection program that is underway again in Summit.

“We started this process back in 2019 for the health, safety, and well-being of people who rent and live in the village,” he said. “The purpose is to make sure that codes and regulations are being followed for basic living.”

Inspections were implemented at the beginning of 2020, but were then put on hold because of the pandemic.

Guests received a copy of the inspection ordinance as they walked in, and Joe Reese, a representative from SAFEbuilt who is handling the inspection program, gave a Power Point presentation.

Reese said the purpose of inspections was the welfare, safety and health of owners and tenants, and to try and ensure that no illness can come from living conditions.

State law allows tenants to seek habitable housing, meaning that the property should be in good condition. The landlord must provide repairs within a reasonable amount of time.

Reese explained that lack of maintenance can lead to mold and unsanitary conditions that can lead to illness by occupants.

He said it’s the legal responsibility of landlords to protect their tenants, and this is what they will be looking for during the inspections.

The original plan was to do the inspections on a yearly basis, but that will now be every three years according to the mayor.

SAFEBuilt will contact property owners who will be required to fill out a form and get it back the SAFEBuilt in 15 days to make an appointment for the inspection.

Many property owners attended the meeting and they had plenty of questions.

One main issue was the $100 inspection fee per rented unit. Vacant units will be inspected for free.

Most property owners said that times are tough and they can’t afford the inspection fees.

“Where are we supposed to come up with the money in 15 days?” said one owner.

Rodriguez said the payment plan was flexible after the inspection was scheduled.

One village trustee explained that it will be a tax write-off at the end of the year for property owners.

Another property owner requested an exact list of what was going to be looked at, saying she would like to be proactive.  She asked if it’s not on the list, will it be addressed.

It was explained that in routine inspections, one never knows what they will find, so the list may not be complete.

Another owner said before the ordinance was passed, a community meeting should have been held to discuss it.