It started as an attempt to give student renters information about the city housing code.But now local landlords are railing the ordinance as insulting and unconstitutional
and some are stating publicly they might not comply.The now hotly contested ordinance, passed in December by Athens City Council, requires renters and landlords to sign a document stating they have read a basic list of city housing codes, including where trash cans should be stored and where cars can be parked. The ordinance also forces renters and landlords to produce a copy of the document if law enforcement officers request it, and those who fail to sign it or fail to produce it on demand can be charged with a minor misdemeanor. Landlords are responsible for distributing the document to their tenants.Landlord David Sturbois, one of the ordinance's more vocal critics, said the document is simply disguised as an informational form but really is an attempt to invade renters' privacy. He said he probably will not turn in the documents as required.If you want to have a police state then you want to get everybody registered he said. It presents this as this is just information for the students
and then it goes a step further because it has them not only sign it
but it demands that they present it on demand.But council members and code enforcement Director Steve Pierson dispute that the ordinance is a registration attempt. Pierson acknowledged renters must present the document if law enforcement officers request it, but said its purpose is mainly informational. All we're going to see is a document with five signatures on it
he said. The document
from what I've read
does not require you to print your name or print under your signature.Landlords must submit the completed documents by Sept. 30. Only 12 of the agreements have been completed and returned for the 4,700 rental properties in Athens, Pierson said. However, his office has received about 15 questions or complaints. Pierson said he would probably send out another letter reminding landlords of their obligation to submit the forms after Sept. 30. Eventually, those who fail to return the forms might be charged with a minor misdemeanor.It's going to be a long road to hoe
Pierson said.James Coady, president of the Athens Property Owners Association, said it would be nearly impossible to track down his 250 tenants by Sept. 30. He said he's going to present a list of objections to Athens City Council on Monday through his lawyer.It pulls the landlord into this and says you have to police the students and make sure that they've read all these ordinances
he said. I am not in the position of policing your behavior. That is not my job at all. In fact
Ohio state law precludes me from doing that.Council members said the ordinance was passed in December and posted on the city's Web site, giving landlords plenty of time to track down their tenants or hire someone to track them down.If this was a pregnancy
