Rental properties increase alarming

City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski wants to investigate what she calls an "alarming" increase in rental properties in places like Wissinoming, Tacony and Mayfair.
Krajewski (D-6th dist.) wants the Council Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold hearings to explore the possibility of creating a rental housing unit within the city Department of Licenses and Inspections.
The councilwoman serves as vice chair of the committee. The chairman is Councilman Rick Mariano (D-6th dist.).
The proposed rental housing unit would ensure that property owners obtain all the necessary permits and licenses.
"A lot of them do not have licenses," Krajewski said.
The seven-term Democrat from Mayfair pointed to a big increase in the number of investors purchasing rowhomes and renting them. The investment properties are increasing the value of real estate in the Northeast, according to Krajewski. In fact, she knows of individuals knocking on people’s doors asking them if they want to sell their houses.
Krajewski doesn’t have a problem with renters. In fact, she’s a former renter and understands that many young people and senior citizens cannot afford mortgages, especially in this hot real estate market.
The councilwoman wants to make sure owners mow the grass, shovel snow and attend to the upkeep of the properties.
"It’s mainly for the quality of life in neighborhoods," she said.
One problem is locating absentee landlords, many of whom are from New York and northern New Jersey, when there’s a code violation.
"They don’t even live in the state," she said. "I want to know where these landlords live."
Krajewski, whose resolution has support so far from Councilman Jack Kelly (R-at large) and Councilwoman Marian Tasco (D-9th dist.), does not have any specific figures on the number of rental properties in the Northeast.
However, an informal survey conducted by inspectors from the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) — a program she created to tackle quality-of-life problems in her district — showed that most of the owners who rent their properties do not obtain the appropriate licenses and permits.
Several area civic associations and community development corporations support Council action. Since Council recesses in June for the summer, the hearings will probably have to wait until the fall. ••