SUNBURY– Time to crack down on Sunbury’s ‘nuisance rental properties.’ One landlord is going to lose her rental permit, now that council has agreed to enforce a 2012 ordinance regarding problem rentals.
Councilman Rick Reichner made a motion to suspend Gloria Olivera Santana’s permit to rent the property at 125 North 12th Street. She also will be fined $100. The action comes after several complaints were filed with the code enforcement office in 2014. The most recent complaint involved a drug bust.
According to the ordinance passed in August 2012, landlords must obtain a permit for each rental property. Reichner indicated that three valid complaints about a property within one calendar year is grounds for suspension of the property’s rental license. Landlords must also maintain an accurate list of tenants at the code enforcement office.
For Reichner, who took office in January 2014, last night’s vote set a precedent, “This is the first time since I’ve been in office that we’ve enforced the nuisance aspect of this.” Reichner estimates that 60% of the city’s residences are rental properties.
He is planning a public meeting for property owners in February to review the ordinance and answer questions. Copies of the ordinance are available at the code enforcement office. (Jennifer Wakeman)