A new ordinance proposed by the Westerville City Council may increase rent for students living off campus.
The new ordinance will require all rental properties in Westerville to be registered with the city and inspected regularly, which could start as early as July 1. If the house is not up to code, repairs must be made. The costs of these inspections and repairs will be put on the landlords' shoulders and logically passed on to the tenants.
Director of Planning and Development Karl Craven, said, "We anticipate there will be a lot of community interest." He went on to describe how some people are excited about this new law benefiting the appearance of Westerville communities.
Julie Saker, director of student conduct and wellness at Otterbein College, sees this new law as a huge benefit for those who live off campus. She said "it can only help enhance safety issues for students."
The City of Westerville issued a report that identifies the benefits of this new program as: "increased property values, decreased general calls for police services, decreased calls about rental property problems to City Officials and increased property management involvement in solving rental property issues."
Despite all of these benefits, Craven predicts that some landlords and tenants will be reluctant to welcome inspectors or pay extra rent.
One landlord who rents primarily to Otterbein students, Brenda Winebrenner, feels that the new inspections are an "invasion of tenants' privacy."
Winebrenner also said "We keep the cost less for students to rent off campus than on...I can no longer guarantee that." She was ashamed to admit that the extra costs of inspections and repairs would be passed on to her tenants.
These regular inspections will cost $100 and if a re-inspection is necessary, an additional $25-$75 could be added on. The exterior and interior of the house will be examined and a checklist must be completed.
Some of these checklist items that can be found in the Westerville Rental Property Program Report include: airtight doors and windows, no plumbing leaks, no evidence of varmits, all gas heating sources must be vented and working safely and the smoke detectors must be installed near sleeping areas.
Otterbein senior psychology major Chris Wyse said "As a renter, I'm not looking forward to it, but the city has fitting plans for the money."
Westerville tenants are told that the money they will pay for inspections will be used for improvements to the properties and to supply better services and utilities.
Not all students will have to worry about this law. Otterbein- owned buildings will not be affected by this new ordinance. Dorms and other structures that are inspected regularly do not need to undergo the city inspection.
It is still uncertain whether or not fraternity and sorority houses will be able to ignore the extra costs ordinary renters will incur. These homes are inspected by the fire department but it is not clear whether this type of inspection is thorough enough for the new ordinance.
For students not living in traditional Otterbein dorms next year, be prepared to pay a little more in rent if this law does take effect this summer. t&c;
