Cumberland Housing Code

1
Cumberland Housing Code

• Ordinance No. 3597
• Adopted 9/4/2007
• Effective 1/1/2008

2
Background

• first comprehensive revision since original
  adoption in 1997
• staff, landlord association and trades
  participation
• registration to license
• city inspections to owner tenant inspections
• increased livability standards electrical,
  smoke detectors, fire doors, etc.
• eliminated waivers for family occupied units and
  units receiving other inspections
• training

3
License vs. Registration

• greater ability to regulate violations (Section
  308)
• more detailed process
• application
• issuance of license
• follow-up on incomplete applications
• increase in staff hours due to changes

4
Inspections

• self inspection (Section 307)
• owner/agent tenant
• owner/Agent must maintain inspection
  documentation
• staff still responds to complaints under
  Ordinance No. 3597

5
Waivers

• family occupied and alternative inspection
  waivers eliminated
• 4,355 units billed versus 2900 units billed
• 36,375 projected increase in revenues

6
Training

• FY08 8 training sessions held for
  Landlords/Agents.95 Landlords/ Agents attended
• FY09 1 training session held for Landlords.4
  Landlords/Agents attended
• FY09 1 training session held for Tenants.2
  Tenants attended
• training information was thoroughly advertised
  and included in billing statements
• provided overview to Cumberland Housing Authority
  and held discussions with Booth Towers

7
Outcomes

• 15 formal rental housing complaints received
  under new Ordinance
• 3 not justified
• 3 confirmed and closed
• 9 in process
• no citations issued

8
Reminders

• all rental dwelling units are subject to rental
  license provisions
• all rental dwelling units are required to be
  inspected between the landlord/agent and the
  tenant prior to occupancy
• staff can still perform pre-occupancy inspections
  if desired
• Housing Code, license application, inspection
  checklist, agent registration form are all online
  at www.ci.cumberland.md.us
• Residents Departments Community Development

9
Summary

• at this time staff is not recommending any
  changes or adjustments but will continue to
  monitor
• remind landlords/agents that self inspections are
  required prior to occupancy
• remind tenants that self inspections are required