Like other cities around the metro, Kansas City, Missouri is now drafting an ordinance that would require rental properties to be inspected every couple of years.
The goal, according to Councilman Quinton Lucas, is to ensure public safety and crack down on nuisance properties.
"There is a small minority of landlords that have been abusing the system, have had people frankly living in squalor and in conditions people in the 21st century should be living in," Lucas said.
In its draft form, the ordinance would charge landlords a $90 fee for a single-family home, which would be good for three years.
It's similar to what Overland Park, Kansas and Independence, Missouri have already passed.
However, not everyone agrees.
Those who oppose rental inspections argue they are too invasive and fear the fees could be passed onto renters who are already looking for inexpensive places to live.
In fact, this year, Missouri lawmakers tried to pass a bill, which would have prohibited cities from conducting internal inspections without a tenant’s permission. The bill ultimately failed.
"We are not trying to break into people's houses, take a look at things and have a big government approach," said Lucas. "We don't want to make people homeless."
The City of Independence's Rental Ready Program goes into effect June 1. It requires all properties to be licensed and pass a basic health and safety inspection every two years.
According to its website, inspection items include:
- No exposed electrical wire.
- All smoke detectors are in proper working order.
- All handrails are secure and functional.
- Property address street number shall be visible.
- All units shall have a working sanitary sewer system.
The City of Overland Park's rental licensing program goes into effect July 1.
If City Council approves a rental inspection ordinance, voters will need to give final approval.
