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CITYOFSOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> future health care costs. I won't lie and say this is a free program, but it is a very worthwhile <br /> investment in the health and safety of our residents. <br /> Ms. Skibins stated, The Rental Safety Verification Program (RSVP) is a new City service and it <br /> will take some time for all rental properties to be inspected. The plan is a four(4)month phase-in <br /> period. So, for four(4)months after implementation, the landowners will have the opportunity to <br /> make repairs or to reach out to us and request an appointment. After four (4) months, Code will <br /> phase-in the program by Census Tract. The plan is to start with Census Tract number six (6) since <br /> that was the Census Tract with the highest level of lead. We then identify the next Census Tracts. <br /> We will then transition to the Census Tracts that have the highest number of rental properties. The <br /> program will inspect twenty percent(20%) of rental housing per year the first(1st) three(3) years <br /> of the program. So, in three (3) years we hope to accomplish twenty percent (20%) of the rental <br /> housing stock. The certificate of rental safety is issued for a period of one(1)to five(5) years. So, <br /> as Suzanna mentioned before, if there is a landlord that reaches out and we go out and inspect the <br /> property and the property is fine, and we have a lot of responsible landlords that will do this, they <br /> wouldn't have to see us again for five (5) years. <br /> She went on, The inspection should only take approximately twenty (20) minutes. The landlords <br /> will know, in advance,what we are looking for. We will supply a checklist in hard copy and it will <br /> also be found on the City's website. So, there is nothing that is going to be hidden so everyone <br /> will know in advance what it is we are looking for. So,landlords have to the ability to make repairs <br /> in advance to us even coming up and that is the goal. We know landlords' time is very valuable <br /> and Code Inspectors' time is as well. We want this to be as quick as possible. Again, we are <br /> focusing on minimum safety standards. Here are some examples(referencing the presentation)and <br /> we do have checklists we are happy to supply. We did make some revisions to the list after <br /> speaking to some community members as well. All residential rental properties will be required to <br /> be on file with the Department of Code Enforcement and obtain a Certificate of Rental Safety. <br /> There are certain properties, however, that will be able to apply for a waiver of exemption. For <br /> example, rental properties built within the last ten (10) years and federal or state subsidized <br /> properties that have an annual inspection every year anyway. Additionally, group homes, contract <br /> sales, short-term occupancy, and owners that live on the premise and rent out to someone else. <br /> Owners may engage in private inspection as well. So, if you decide you don't want the City to <br /> inspect the property, we are happy to have them hire someone to do that. <br /> She continued, We have some enforcement tools,too, as I know this was a question by many. <br /> Marlaina Johns,Deputy Director of Code Enforcement with offices located on the 13th floor of the <br /> County-City Building, stated, I do want to add to Tracy's remarks. After speaking with the public, <br /> we did make an exemption added if there had been real estate inspection done within the last three <br /> (3) years as long as that report is provided. For Code Enforcement to gain inspection compliance, <br /> what we are looking at is first (1st) sending a postcard to owners and occupants. We are going to <br /> give them a heads up that this program has started and that they should contact our office to <br /> schedule an inspection. If after we send that postcard we don't receive any kind of follow up, we <br /> will send a letter out to both the owner and property occupant. That would serve as a little bit of a <br /> warning. If they don't comply they would face potential fees or an inspection warrant. After that <br /> letter has been mailed out,fourteen(14)days later we will start issuing weekly penalties for failure <br /> to comply. About thirty (30) days after we start issuing those weekly penalties, we will send a <br /> second(2nd)letter that has strong language that will warn them that if they continue to not schedule <br /> EXCELLENCE j ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221,f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 5 <br />