From the Harford Property Owners Association:
Join us for the December meeting of the Harford Property Owners Association at 3 Vale Road, Suite 300 on December 22, 2011 at 6:30PM for planning and news about this legislation.
Currently, rental Housing in Harford County is subject to regulation through a document called the “Livability Code”. Link here: http://www.harfordhousing.org/Download/876.pdf
A few months ago, a “Livability Code Task Force” was commissioned by the Harford County Council to update the current Code, which was adopted in 1988. The Task Force has met several times, and the fruits of the discussions are ideas like implementing a countywide rental registration program which will mandate buying a permit from the County government in order to rent any property. Other proposals are mandating tests for Mold, radon, and water before being able to rent.
This will be a bureaucratic nightmare that is intended to give the County government license to control your homes, apartments, and other residential real property. This will greatly increase the cost of doing business in Harford County and lower property values overnight.
By putting a wall of bureaucracy between renters and landlords, this “rental registration” program will hurt good tenants and good landlords. If there are bad landlords (there were a total of less than 90 complaints levied with the Harford County Department of Housing from January through November of 2011), then this will not compel them to act.
The real estate market in Harford County is large, vibrant and growing. The County government should enact no laws that will limit the ability of people to control their own property nor the rights of renters to live where they choose.
The language from the bill has not been released yet, but these ideas are all floating out there. The Task Force must submit their findings to the Council at the first meeting in January and the legislation will then be considered by the Council.
In order to squash this destructive legislation, we need to organize and ACT NOW.
Property Rights must be protected in Harford County– and you are going to have to join the fight. After you have read this email, forward it to some business contacts or neighbors.
The leading advocate for this Rental Registration Program has been responding to emails by saying “there is no bill” or “Stop spreading misinformation.” — The fact is that while a piece of legislation has not been introduced, there is legislation in the works, and all interested people need to contact their Councilman. Tell him/her that the government should be protecting our Property Rights, not infringing on them. You can use the form at the bottom of this email to send an email to the entire Council and County Executive, or call or email your Councilman directly.
The only way to stop the RENTAL REGISTRATION program in Harford County is by organizing and working to defend our livelihoods and businesses. Will you join us for the meeting at 3 Vale Road, Suite 300 on December 22, 2011 at 6:30? Bring a friend, and let’s get to work.
If you need an update on the Harford County Rental Registration legislation being discussed, go here: http://harfordproperty.org/
Remember to forward this email to a friend or business contact so we can defend our property rights against a new RENTAL REGISTRATION program that is being proposed by the County Council.
Contact Phone Numbers and Emails for the Harford County Council
Council President Billy Boniface:
410-638-3525
wkboniface@harfordcountymd.gov
District A
Dion Guthrie
410-638-3521
dfguthrie@harfordcountymd.gov
District B
Joe Woods
410-639-3520
jmwoods@harfordcountymd.gov
District C
James “Capt’n Jim” McMahan
410-638-3523
jvmcmahan@harfordcountymd.gov
District D
Chad Shrodes
410-638-3524
cshrodes@harfordcountymd.gov
District E
Richard C. Slutzky
410-638-3522
rcslutzky@harfordcountymd.gov
District F
Mary Ann Lisanti
410-638-3526
malisanti@harfordcountymd.gov
County Executive David Craig
countyexecutive@harfordcountymd.gov
410.638
Why doesn’t McGrady sign his name to this letter or the website?
Protecting the safety of neighbors, tenants and neighborhoods in the supply of rental housing is a proper venue for local govt to require registration, proper disclosure as to not take the homestead tax credit, regulate lead paint, mold, pests and fire codes within the county’s jurisdiction. Either the county will do it, or eventually the state will. In addition, the livability code as it stands does not require landlord registration or impose penalties for violations of the code. Tenants need to be protected from slum landlords and give low/moderate income and working families a higher level of rental housing than that found in some neighborhoods. Clearly, the regulation is not intrussive, costly or will increase rental costs but it will reduce substandard housing from being offered to tenants as the only option to rent safely in the county.
Frankly Speaking – How would know what a bill that isn’t written and you’ve never read will do?
It makes you look like a fool.
Stillwell
Stillwell-
He knows because anytime the government gets involved in an issue things *always* get better.
Personally, I’m a tenant and I would rather the government keeps its nose out of my business. I do not need “protection”. Thanks but no thanks.
B
District C
James “Capt’n Jim” McMahan
410-638-3523
jvmcmahan@harfordcountymd.gov
Dear Cap’t Jim:
Re: RENTAL REGISTRATION program in Harford County
I am in favor of this legislation. It will be a way to stop slumlords from foisting dangerous housing onto unsuspecting families. This legislation will INCREASE property values by ensuring safe clean rental properties in our neighborhoods. There should be no excuse for allowing profit motivated landlords from renting properties with mold, radon or unsafe water conditions. If certain landlords fell that the costs of providing safe, clean housing is too high, then they should find some other road to riches and not endanger innocent children.
Dear Cap’t Jim:
Re: RENTAL REGISTRATION program in Harford County
I am in favor of this legislation. It will be a way to stop slumlords from foisting dangerous housing onto unsuspecting families. This legislation will INCREASE property values by ensuring safe clean rental properties in our neighborhoods. There should be no excuse for allowing profit motivated landlords from renting properties with mold, radon or unsafe water conditions. If certain landlords feel that the costs of providing safe, clean housing is too high, then they should find some other road to riches and not endanger innocent children.
@Gary Ambridge
There is no evidence that a Harford County Rental Registration Law would do any of the things you’ve outlined. You can’t possibly predict what a law will do that has not even been drafted.
You are just a foolish blind believer in greater more bureaucratic government for the sake of more government. This idea of this law is a solution in search of problem.
As a former landlord I can tell you that I kept my properties up because it was financially beneficial for me to do so. If this law will be so good, as several people believe, then shouldn’t ALL PROPERTIES, EVEN PRIVATE PROPERTY, be registered? Maybe your own home might not be as safe, clean and healthy as the government would like. Plus this can create another huge gov. bureaucracy & create jobs. Just what we need.
I think a great many owner occupied residences would not live up to many county, State, and HUD inspection codes. That’s why when intelligent people buy a house they get a home inspection! And in almost every case, some things don’t live up to code and the owner has to correct them before the transaction proceeds.
I’m sorry you’re an idiot if you can’t see the difference between someone choosing to live in their own filfth and not correct it, and a renter who has very limited ability to correct defects to their rental housing that is owned by someone else. If they do, they open themselves up to eviction and suit for damages. Renters require an added level of protection from home owners. Also lest you forget that all home owners are subject to the most basic livability standards for their own safety.
Without even getting into the arguments listed in this posting, it’s important to note that it is packed full of totally unsubstantiated claims of what what a rental registration would do– despite the fact that they haven’t seen any legislation either.
I can’t imagine any approach to the subject being more close-minded and greedy.