1 Beavers, Esther
From:Ray Shamieh
Sent:Wednesday, April 1, 2026 2:24 PM
To:[email protected]; Williams, K. Patrice; Tonnesen, Scott; Carr, Douglas; Panduro, Doriss; Sandhu, Manveer; Bertani, Pam
Subject:Rental Housing Safety Inspection Program
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Dear Council Members,
I regret that I was unable to attend last night’s hearing regarding the proposed annual inspection program for residential rental units.
I would like to respectfully express my opposition to implementing mandatory annual inspections and the associated fees. My concern is not only the direct cost of inspections, but also the additional expenses property owners would incur—such as property management coordination to meet with inspectors. Inevitably, these increased costs will be passed on to tenants.
Beyond cost, I believe the practical execution of annual inspections across all rental units would be both challenging and inefficient. The time and administrative burden required for proper follow-up may ultimately limit meaningful compliance and reduce the program’s effectiveness.
As an alternative, I suggest the City consider conducting inspections at the start of a new tenancy, prior to move-in, with a reasonable fee. To address concerns about knowing when tenants come and go, the City could implement a simple, enforceable system using existing mechanisms:
Utility activation or transfer could require proof of inspection before service is finalized. New tenant registration forms filed online by landlords, with penalties for non-compliance. Rental license or permit renewal could include a certification of any new occupancy. Random audits or complaint-driven inspections could target properties with high turnover or past non-compliance.
This approach focuses resources where they are most needed, rather than applying blanket annual inspections to all properties. An initial one-time comprehensive inspection may still be useful to establish baseline conditions, but continuing inspections annually for all units may not yield proportional benefits.
For context, I own primarily commercial properties and only two residential rental units, so this proposal would not significantly impact me personally. However, like many responsible owners, I take pride in maintaining my properties to a high standard. I also recognize that not all landlords operate this way, You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
2 which is why I am not opposed to inspections in principle—only to the proposed blanket annual approach.
Thank you for considering my perspective. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these ideas further and collaborate on more targeted, effective alternatives.
Respectfully,
Ray Shamieh
707-290-0363