Latrobe landlords speak out against proposed rental inspection requirements

Landlords who own property in Latrobe aren’t happy about a proposed ordinance that would require all rental units to undergo routine inspections.

About a dozen landlords showed up to the city’s council meeting this week to voice concerns over the inspection requirement, which council tabled after mounting disapproval from the landlords.

Council now plans to further consider the landlords’ perspectives before making a decision.

The ordinance would have required the code officer to inspect all rental units before a unit is leased or on a three-year basis, whichever comes first.

Rental properties that were not in compliance with the city’s zoning, property maintenance, health or safety requirements would need to meet these requirements within seven to 30 days, or face a fine of $25 to $1,000 and up to 90 days of imprisonment.

Latrobe landlord Kevin McFeaters, who lives in Armbrust, called the proposed inspections “burdensome, restrictive, costly, unconstitutional and discriminatory” during Monday’s meeting.

“We shouldn’t be going into these rentals without probable cause,” McFeaters said.

City officials argued that the inspections aim to target landlords who are neglecting their properties, as this is a health and safety concern. City manager Terry Carcella explained Latrobe is “trying to find ways to clean up the city more.”

“We’re not going after the good property owners,” Carcella said. “This isn’t designed to hammer people with expenses.”

However, the landlords believe the inspections will unfairly treat responsible and irresponsible landlords the same.

“I don’t own a property that’s garbage in Latrobe; I make this town better,” said landlord John Kuhns. “(The landlords at the meeting) make this town better. But you’re going to pass an ordinance to hurt us?”

Kuhns added that the meeting drew attendance from the “good property owners,” while the “slumlords” were absent.

Some landlords are now hesitant to purchase more properties in Latrobe as potential inspection requirements loom. One of these landlords is Amy Snyder, who was unable to attend the meeting.

Snyder, from Unity, owns one property in the city limits.

“I feel like (the ordinance) puts a target on all of our backs,” Snyder said.

Though council tabled the rental inspection requirement, it approved other parts of the ordinance that tackle blight.

The code officer can now order immediate demolition of vacant buildings that pose a hazard or imminent danger to the public’s health and safety.

If a property owner fails to demolish the property, the code officer can order the demolition. The costs will be billed to the property owner.