Enhanced Rental Registration and Inspection Program (2009 LGAA)

Village of East Syracuse (Winner)
County: Onondaga County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
Village Hall (315) 437-3541

According the U.S. Census, over 50% of the properties in the Village of East Syracuse are rental. Given that many of the properties in the Village are in close proximity to their neighbor, something had to be done to ensure that rental properties were maintained and that stable and responsible tenants were both attractable and retainable.

Modeled after other communities around the country, the Village of East Syracuse adopted a Rental Registration and Inspection Program in 2007. The program requires owners of non-owner occupied properties to annually register with the Village so that an owner or agent is available to work with the Village officials and respond in emergencies. Property inspections must meet the minimum standards established by the New York State Property Maintenance Code and are required either annually, or every 2nd or 3rd year depending upon the conditions and violations discovered. In conjunction with this program, the Board of Trustees also adopted the Disruptive Conduct Law. This law allows the Village to insist that owners initiate an eviction proceeding should there be three valid disruptive conduct citations. The Rental Program has spurred property owners to make the necessary investment in their properties to ensure safe and affordable housing. The Disruptive Conduct Law has discouraged neglectful and problem tenants from settling in the Village, while also giving landlords the means to address such problems. In addition, certain features of the Rental Registration program have aided the Code Enforcement Office, East Syracuse Police Department, and the Fire Department by assuring that a current contact is available for all non-owner occupied housing. Although implementation of the program necessitated hiring additional staff to perform property inspection, all costs related to the program are covered by the associated inspection fees.