Sample Legislation: Landlord Accountability for Tenant Violations

Landlord Accountability for Tenant Violations

Absentee landlords and non-owner-occupied rental properties are common in most communities. Problems arise when tenants are disruptive and disorderly on a frequent basis, resulting in a disproportionately high number of police and emergency service calls for complaints related to noise, drunkenness, littering, property damage, fighting or other disorderly conduct or nuisance activities. The police and emergency service responses to these violations become costly for the community and detract from other emergency situations. Rental properties are often in violation of building and property maintenance codes as well. To combat these burdens, some municipalities have enacted ordinances requiring landlords to obtain a residential rental license. If there are more than three disruptive conduct incidents or other code violations in a 12-month period, tenants may be evicted or the license may be revoked. Regulations are in place to prevent landlords from retaliating against tenants who have filed complaints about nuisance activities.