tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post1539919841800671095..comments2023-10-25T21:11:44.375-07:00Comments on Twilight Zoning in Bellingham: Comments on Mayor's Proposed Ordinance for Rental RegistrationZonemavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-86424710345028073372014-04-23T09:56:35.630-07:002014-04-23T09:56:35.630-07:00Gary,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Ind...Gary,<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to comment. Indeed, checking the electrical system would be a component of any inspection program. They have had such an inspection program in Pasco for the last 15 years or more and none of the terrible consequences that you describe have come to pass. There is no horrendous bureaucracy and no flurry of action from attorneys. I get many comments about gloom and doom if this city begins to look at the condition of the rentals. We are not looking for fault to be specified for either tenants or landlords. An inspection is a neutral review of the condition of a unit to prevent accidents, injuries and death not to assign blame. All will benefit.<br /><br />I would be interested in your providing some examples of cities where these rental inspections have produced the results you describe. Zonemavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-69668426978490739182014-04-22T12:02:45.246-07:002014-04-22T12:02:45.246-07:00Richard,
What sort of problem do you expect to re...Richard,<br /><br />What sort of problem do you expect to resolve with your Landlord licensing and rental inspection proposals?<br /><br />My experience with rental life safety issues indicates that most hazards are caused by the tenants themselves, by plugging in too many devices into old wiring systems not designed for 2014 usage. This is not typical (of course most apartments do not burn down), but does seem to be the leading cause of failed apartment housing. The only way this hazard might be avoided is to have a professional determine load capacity of the existing wiring and then closely monitor the tenants to not exceed this capacity. The remedy will be onerous, tearing out walls to add electrical capacity, capacity that is not needed by the majority of tenants. <br /><br />As remedial work is likely to exceed City of Bellingham authority, the exercise will become a bureaucratic requirement only with no material improvement in rental life safety issues. The large rental companies will have their lawyers draft risk mitigating paperwork to be in place as soon as the new requirement is codified, and the small landlords will be faced with another expense that gets eventually passed on to the tenant. <br /><br />Respectfully <br />Gary <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com