Rental Property Inspection Pilot Program
Summary
The council created a five-year, data-driven rental inspection pilot for the 15th District, where complaints more than doubled from 106 in 2023 to 214 in 2025. Landlords who pass get five years without reinspection; those who ignore unsafe conditions face continued scrutiny.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 0
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Sep 15, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Inspection costs are city-funded in the pilot; responsible landlords avoid repeat inspection fees.
Renters in the 15th District get safer housing and better-maintained blocks.
Problem landlords who let properties slide face repeated inspections and enforcement.
Mentions & discussions (6)
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BOARD OF APPEALS — September 25, 2026
Shirley Walker won her appeal after testifying her building is occupied but the city couldn't confirm it, and an inspector allegedly failed to document calls and a promised visit. The board directed DNS to follow up on the documentation gap.
COMMON COUNCIL — September 22, 2026
The council created a five-year, data-driven rental inspection pilot for the 15th District, where complaints more than doubled from 106 in 2023 to 214 in 2025. Landlords who pass get five years without reinspection; those who ignore unsafe conditions face continued scrutiny.
HOUSING AUTHORITY — September 16, 2026
Half of inspected voucher units fail inspection, and Commissioner Moore pressed staff to use every tool — including withholding landlord payments — to force repairs so residents aren't living with rodents and leaks.
ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE — September 15, 2026
The city will proactively inspect roughly 200 one- and two-family rentals in the Uptown/Sherman Park area for habitability violations over a 4.5-year pilot. Landlords who pass get five years off; those who don't face escalating reinspection fees. Complaints in the area more than doubled from 2023 to 2025, driving the data-driven selection.
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BOARD OF APPEALS — June 24, 2026
The city charges property owners recurring reinspection fees when violations persist — Jon Frost has racked up years of them over a contractor yard in a residential zone. A fence alone won't fix it; he'd need a use variance.
ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE — May 27, 2026
Two ordinances on enforcement and penalties for problem multi-unit rental buildings were sent to Steering and Rules for further work.
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