Baltimore County lawmakers said Wednesday they are considering privatizing and expanding a program that requires the registration and inspection of rental properties countywide.
Lawmakers said the program, criticized by county auditors as inconsistently enforced in the 14 communities targeted during its pilot phase, has too much potential to abandon. Councilman Vince Gardina, D-District 5, faulted administrators for not prioritizing the program, which targets absentee landlords who allow properties to decay.
“The problem is [that] the administration, and not only this one but the one before it, is not funding it,” Gardina said of the program.
Members of the County Council questioned permits and development management Director Tim Kotroco on the program during the first of a series of budget hearings Wednesday. Citing staffing shortages, Kotroco said not all of the rental properties in the 14 pilot communities are registered now and won?t be for some time.
Outsourcing could save resources, said Councilman John Olszewski, D-District 7, who said the county is working on several proposals. Under one, property owners could choose from a council-approved list of private inspectors, who would report problems to the county.
“It?s in the preliminary stages, but there are some ideas,” Olszewski said. “We want to make sure this program is beneficial to our areas and other areas, without costing the taxpayers money.”
In an October 2006 report, county auditors estimated a countywide program would cost $2.1 million annually and would require a biennial license fee of $95 to be self-supporting. That report said the program had been implemented in only five pilot communities by that date.
Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, D-District 2, suggested the county focus on one community to collect empirical data to determine the program?s potential for success before expanding it. Others suggested expanding the program to regulate tenant behavior by tracking noise complaints and police calls.
