Rental property owners who don't fix violations will get hit harder in the pocketbook under a new ordinance the Robbinsdale City Council is considering.

The city is considering raising the fees for its two-year rental licenses starting in the 2009-10 cycle as licenses come up for renewal or new ones are sought. A rental license on a single-family home would go from $100 to $125. The proposal also changes the rates for all other properties, from duplexes to apartment buildings.

The city would charge a new $200 initial inspection fee when an existing home is converted to rental, requiring a complete housing maintenance code inspection before approving occupancy.

City Manager Marcia Glick said at a Sept. 16 City Council meeting that the initial meeting would be when city staff can review rental property regulations with the owner and gather accurate contact information for owners.

The requirement is so "everybody is starting from a good starting point," Glick said.

A $200 review fee would also be charged when a rental property changes ownership. Staff would do a similar walk through of the property and discuss regulations with the new owner.

Both fees would be in addition to the rental license fee.

In cases where an inspection turns up a violation, owners are given orders to make repairs within a specified time period. When owners don't make those repairs and the city has to keep going back to inspect, the city proposes to charge the owner $50 for each visit, versus the current $15 per visit.

The City Council tabled action on the suggested ordinances until its next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Glick said the new fees and increases are being set at a rate that makes up some of the costs of staff time, but "doesn't cover anywhere near those costs." If the city wanted to offer more resources or dedicate more time to the initial inspection meetings, for example, it could elect to charge a higher amount.

Council member Dan Rogan said the number of rental properties in the city is going up.

"I don't want to be unlawful about charging a fee," he said.

But, Rogan said, the city also shouldn't be "subsidizing" people turning their homes into rentals and should attempt to recoup the costs associated with city staff working on rental property issues.

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But, Rogan said, the city also shouldn't be "subsidizing" people turning their homes into rentals and should attempt to recoup the costs associated with city staff working on rental property issues.

Comment on this story at our website, www.mnsun.com.