Fewer than a dozen people have called the city to complain about their rentals since the city enacted new housing standards and created an agency to enforce them in July.
Late last year, the city created an agency to enforce housing codes that ensure proper plumbing, heating, weatherproofing and structural integrity after several groups, including the University’s student government, pushed for it.
So far, the city has received limited complaints regarding the new code, Code Enforcement Supervisor Rachelle Nicholas said.
Nicholas said this may be because most renters are unaware of the new standards, but a marketing campaign designed to raise public awareness of the code will begin in October.
It’s too early to know how many people will use the code, she said.
Since July, there has only been one violation, involving a broken window, and it was quickly resolved, she said.
There have been several tenant complaints that are not covered by the new code, including mold, chipped paint and appliances.
These were not included because they caused intense disagreement between renters, property managers and landlords, said ASUO Campus Organizer Brett Rowlett, who was a member of the interest group Eugene Citizens for Housing Standards last year. Rowlett worked with city councilors and the planning and development department to create the standards.
“Our goal was to focus on the basic habitability of rental properties,” he said.
Rowlett said there are other ways students can protect themselves from poor living conditions.
Before signing a lease, students should consult the ASUO checklist, available in Suite 4 of the EMU, for appropriate housing conditions, such as heating and water pressure. Also, they should contact the property owner about a repair as soon as possible, and always put everything in writing, Rowlett said.
“Landlords and property managers react more quickly to a letter than (a call),” he said. “It legally binds them to take action.”
The new housing standards were modeled after a similar program in Corvallis. The student government recommended the program to the city after reviewing housing standards in 75 cities nationwide, finding that the Corvallis program best-served the interests of students, renters and landlords, Rowlett said.
An annual $10 fee for each rental unit paid by the landlord funds the administration fees for the new program. The city has expanded its code enforcement staff to support the new project.
Several landlords have argued the new code is redundant because of the state’s Landlord-Tenant Act and that the code hurts them unnecessarily because most are already meeting housing requirements. Under the Rental Housing Code, tenants must file a written complaint to the property manager, and the property manager has 10 days to respond to the complaint. If the owner fails to respond, the tenant may file a complaint with the city. The city will investigate, and if the complaint is valid, a written order will be issued for the landlord to make any needed repairs. Each day the landlord doesn’t respond to the complaint, there will be a $250 fine.
Contact the crime, health and safety reporter at [email protected]