Rental Property Upkeep Ordinance Passes Final Reading

Irmo Town Council unanimously approved a rental property registration ordinance that sets standards for the maintenance of rental properties in town, and requires landlords to pay a $50 license fee per dwelling annually. 

The ordinance is an attempt to address concerns of deteriorating homes in some of Irmo's neighborhoods.

In the ordinance, landlords would have to meet a variety of standards at all times.

Standards include trash cans and storage of waste, attachment of gutters, grass height and parking locations for vehicles.

For example, the grass and weed height shouldn't exceed 12 inches when measured with a ruler on the ground. 

The owner would be given notice of any violation and 30 days to remedy the problem. 

If the owner receives three violations in any calendar year, the zoning and town adminstrator can revoke the owner's license, according to the ordinance. 

The Irmo Police Department will enforce the ordinance. 

Councilman Paul Younginer first drew attention to what some say is a growing problem.

Younginer said he received complaints from residents about homes that were in disrepair.

Younginer, Mayor Pro Tem Barry A. Walker Sr. and the town's attorney, Jake Moore, took a to see the properties that residents complained about. 

Pictures of homes with damaged roofs, rotting siding and overgrown grass were shown during council's April 3 meeting. 

From there council members worked on the ordinance, tweaking some of the standards as they discussed it. 

A public hearing was held on the ordinance and some residents in the community have spoken out against it. 

One resident, Alex Morales, tried to discourage members from approving the ordinance in hopes that the council would try other alternatives to address blight in town.

Steve Crater, owner and broker at Centre Realty in Irmo, to fix maintenance problems that have been filed in any complaints.  

Crater also said the ordinance should be applied to all residents.

Council members have said owner-occupied homes would be addressed, too, at a later date. 

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