Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Time is Running Out for Slumlords. Rental Registry is Now Online
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
January 11, 2018

Share

One day after GV Wire questioned when the city would launch its landlord registry website, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced that it is now online.
The website allows Fresno landlords, whether they own an apartment complex or single family home, to register with the city.
“This was a major undertaking by the city of Fresno. The end result speaks for itself,” Brand told the gathered media Wednesday (Jan. 10) from City Hall.

Advocates Encouraged

“We are encouraged to see this first step. Unfortunately, this first step has taken a long time. We are praying the city will start proactive inspections as soon as possible. We hope they make this a priority in 2018,” said Lety Valencia, a community organizer with Faith in the Valley Fresno.
Valencia says her group has not been a part of the inspection program’s implementation despite being a strong advocate of its passage. They hope to be a partner in the future.
“This tool is not a punishment. It is an opportunity to hold those slumlords accountable, and make the rental homes healthier,” Valencia said.

The Delay Explained

Hoping to address the problem of slumlord housing, the Fresno City Council passed an ordinance establishing citywide rental inspections by a 4-3 vote Feb. 2, 2017. While the new law stated that the inspections could begin no earlier than September 2017, Brand told the Fresno Bee that he hoped inspections would start by then. Eleven months later — four months after its targeted start — the Rental Housing Improvement Program is underway.

“This final version is one of the most business-friendly versions in California. I believe it will be emulated in other cities in the future.”Fresno Mayor Lee Brand
Brand said that City Hall had to wait until the budget was in place to hire staff. As of Wednesday, seven of the 10 inspection-team members are in place.
“We couldn’t even start hiring the positions until October. It’s better to get it right and make sure it is done thoroughly. There are 90,000 properties out there. If we get it right the first time, it is much easier down the road,” Brand said Wednesday.
Another part of the process was developing a website for the mandatory registration of landlords.
The city hired Bitwise/Shift3 Technologies to develop the site. The contract, initially for $37,650 from April to August 2017, called for the developer to build the site in 17 weeks, which would have been the end of July 2017. The deal also included a $7,500 annual optional maintenance fee.
“The website was not intended to be ready by the end of August,” said Kelli Furtado, the city’s assistant planning director in charge of the program.

Registering and Inspections

There is no fee for landlords to register online, but it is mandatory under threat of penalty. A first offense of non-registration is $100 for being up to 30 days late. The fine escalates to $1,000 plus 10% interest if the owner fails to register after 120 days.
Registration is also required when there is a change in ownership.
As far as inspections, some landlords would be exempt, mainly for owners of units less than 10 years old and owner-occupied units (i.e. renting a room in a house). Units that are already inspected by another government agency would not require a second city inspection.
Brand also said that homes rented to relatives are exempt as well, but GV Wire could not find such language in the ordinance.
The city will inspect all rental housing for a baseline inspection over time. For multiple-unit apartment complexes, the city will inspect only a fraction of all such apartments, depending on the size. For instance, for a complex of 16-50 units, the city would inspect 15% of the apartments.
After the initial baseline inspection, the units will be placed in three tiers, depending on the severity of infractions.
The best is Tier I. Landlords can self-certify in the future after passing the first inspection. The worst is Tier III, which would subject the units to yearly inspections.

Brand: Other Cities Will Copy Fresno’s Program

The program, which passed with the support of rental housing advocates, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and the California Apartment Association, is cutting edge, according to Brand.
“This final version is one of the most business-friendly versions in California. I believe it will be emulated in other cities in the future,” he said.
The website for landlords to register is fresno.gov/rentalhousing.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Will California Meet Newsom’s 2035 EV Deadline? It Won’t Even Hit the 2026 Target 

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

DON'T MISS

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

DON'T MISS

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

DON'T MISS

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

DON'T MISS

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

DON'T MISS

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

DON'T MISS

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

DON'T MISS

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

DON'T MISS

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

UP NEXT

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

UP NEXT

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

UP NEXT

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

UP NEXT

Paul Skenes Strikes Out 9, Wins Duel With Yamamoto in Pirates’ Victory Over Dodgers

UP NEXT

Eovaldi Outlasts Verlander as Rangers Beat Giants

UP NEXT

Rams Take Oregon Tight End Terrance Ferguson in Second Round After Trading Out of First

UP NEXT

The Latest: Francis Is Remembered as a ‘Pope Among the People’ as He Is Laid to Rest

UP NEXT

Trump Now Doubts Putin Wants to End Ukraine War, a Day After Saying a Deal Was Close

UP NEXT

Fresno Elderly Woman Evicted, Forced to Leave Dogs Behind. One Still Needs a Home.

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

1 day ago

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

1 day ago

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

1 day ago

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

2 days ago

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

2 days ago

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

2 days ago

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

2 days ago

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

2 days ago

Paul Skenes Strikes Out 9, Wins Duel With Yamamoto in Pirates’ Victory Over Dodgers

2 days ago

Eovaldi Outlasts Verlander as Rangers Beat Giants

2 days ago

Will California Meet Newsom’s 2035 EV Deadline? It Won’t Even Hit the 2026 Target 

It was with brash confidence that Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that by 2035, the only new cars and light trucks sold in California would be e...

17 hours ago

17 hours ago

Will California Meet Newsom’s 2035 EV Deadline? It Won’t Even Hit the 2026 Target 

1 day ago

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

1 day ago

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

1 day ago

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

1 day ago

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

1 day ago

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

2 days ago

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

2 days ago

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend