Aurora rental laws to cover all landlords

After months of debate, town meetings and changes, Aurora aldermen could be ready to approve their four-ordinance package, known as the Crime Free Housing Initiative, as soon as Tuesday.

The biggest change, however, came Tuesday night when aldermen approved the most recent revisions to the ordinances, which will now also apply to the formerly exempt Aurora Housing Authority.

Sixth Ward Alderman Michael Saville, along with 9th Ward Alderman Leroy Keith and the city's community-oriented policing officers have sponsored the plan, designed to form a partnership among residents, rental property owners and police, as well as to implement firm guidelines for the city's landlords.

The proposed ordinances would increase penalties for drug and criminal activity in rental properties. The new set of laws also would require landlords and property owners to order criminal background checks and strongly encourages credit checks of tenants.

In recent months, other aldermen and city officials including 4th Ward Alderman Rick Lawrence, have called for the 652 unit authority to be held to the same standards as other landlords.

"Based on that feedback," Saville said, "We have sent a letter to the Aurora Housing Authority informing them that we will be applying all of the crime-free housing ordinances across the board, to the Aurora Housing Authority."

The initiative also would require owners of all rental units, including condominiums, to license their properties and attend crime-free housing landlord training.

In previous years, owners of properties that were newer than 25 years old were exempt. Those owners who already have been through the training will not have to repeat it.

And, for the first time, the aldermen intend to implement fines for excessive police calls. Saville said the fines could be leveled against property owners after the third "nuisance" call in any given year.

Once police file at least one nuisance report on a rental property, Chief Greg Thomas may order the property owner to abate the activity, suspend or revoke the owner's rental license, or charge the owner for the costs associated with dealing with the violations.

City attorney Alayne Weingartz said, if approved next week, the registration of all rental properties will begin with an estimated completion date of Oct. 1 2009.

By 2010 city inspectors will begin all annual inspections of the 1,000 newly licensed units in addition to the more than 4,000 already in the program.

"This truly is a huge undertaking and one we have to be responsible about implementing," said assistant director of neighborhood standards Mark Anderson.