Northglenn – The Northglenn City Council on Wednesday night debated a proposed ordinance that would require rental properties in the city to be certified, but by the end of the session most council members seemed to back away from the plan.
“I think we have gone hunting with a shotgun when we should have used a rifle,” Councilman Michael Martin said.
The ordinance would require annual inspections and certifications of all rental properties – Councilman Rick Lindsey said there are about 700 – in the city. The idea is to make sure rental properties are well-maintained.
Wednesday night’s meeting was a study session, meaning council members intended to discuss the ordinance but not make any decisions. Nonetheless, about 50 people attended, most of whom opposed the ordinance.
Many said it would put an unfair and unconstitutional burden on landlords, that certification fees would be passed on to tenants and that the ordinance was unnecessary because the city already has codes to ensure that property is well-kept.
“It’s prejudiced in that it doesn’t treat renter-occupied homes on equal footing with owner-occupied homes,” said Kim Grice, a broker with Best Western Realty who manages some Northglenn rental properties.
A few residents were in favor of the ordinance.
“I back this proposal simply because the property owners (of rental units) never seem to be available when there’s a problem,” said resident Bob Kammerzell, who said he lives next to a few run-down rental properties.
At the end of the meeting, most council members agreed something needs to be done to ensure that rentals are well-maintained, but many felt the ordinance is not the solution and that further thought is needed.
“This is definitely a work in progress,” said Mayor pro tem Robin Tichy.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
