The Rise of Rental Registration: A Comprehensive Introduction Bryce C. Johnson, Urban Planner

Purpose Statement “To ensure the highest quality, this program will provide a reliable inventory of the City’s rental units and improve substandard properties. By providing for yearly inspections of rental housing, the City will ensure conformance with life/safety regulations.” Comprehensive Plan

“America’s Rental Housing: Evolving Markets and Needs” A Harvard University Research Collection

Increasing Demand Among All Ages

Aging Properties Raise Health & Safety Concerns o 23.1% of low-income renters live in units with structural deficiencies o Oldest rentals are primarily single-family detached homes or in two- to four- unit buildings o Apartment Rating: 54% (apartmentranking.com)

Rental Units Attracting All Household Types Popularity in rental properties similar among families.

Case Study Sample City of Austin, Texas

Case Study Components  GOAL: “To better track and impose penalties on rental properties with unsafe and/or unsanitary conditions”  Applies strictly to “multi-family and single family rental properties”  Requires applicants to register with City and to be regularly inspected

Case Study Components  Challenges:  Ability to enforce and contact violators  Costly inspection program  Alternatives:  Dedicate more resources to program  Enhance communication efforts to identify repeat violators  Incentivize voluntary compliance

Galveston Today CATEGORYGALVESTONSTATE COMPARISON Population48, % since 2000 Median Age37.1 yearsHigher Unmarried Persons7.5%Higher Person Per Household2.3Lower % of Rental Households60%Much Higher % of Apartment Owners Living Off the Island 51% Median Year Apartment Built1973Lower Cost of Living98.20Lower (housing at 108) Households Lacking Complete Plumbing Facilities* 1%- Households Lacking Complete Kitchen Facilities* 2%- * Total Households = 29,957

Galveston, The Future  We want Galveston to be a city where people who work here want to live here.  We want all residents to be able to live in good quality and affordable homes in clean, safe neighborhoods of their choices.  We want to increase our resilience to natural hazards by reducing vulnerabilities. Galveston’s Vision as Listed in Progress Galveston

 Focus on accountability, collaboration, education, and awareness  Accurate inventory to “enable the city to find property owners in case of emergencies or code violations, and to make sure the owner understands his obligations under city ordinances.” (communityprogress.net)  “Rehabilitation of older buildings provides modest but secure housing that is difficult to add through new construction.” (Harvard study) Rental Registration Program Objectives

Draft Framework & Provisions  Compliance not limited to unit’s interior. Additional exterior regulations will advance beautification efforts and promote resiliency.  Fee Schedule  Registration/Annual Renewal = $0.00  [Tenant] Request for inspection = $35.00  Failure to register property = $  Suspension and/or Revocation of License  False information on registration/renewal application  Failure to: pay fee(s), allow inspection, correct violations  Other Rules, Policies, and Procedures  Appeal Process, License Posting, Inspection Access

Summary of Rental Registration Program What It Is  Ability to address major issues hazardous to health, safety, wellness, and security;  Program to maintain property values by identifying building and code violations and avoid potential problems in the future  Strategy used to maintain the built environment and expand communication efforts between property owners, tenants, and the city What It Isn’t  A way for the city to generate revenue for non-housing enforcement related programs  A way to make it harder or less profitable to operate rental housing in Galveston  A reflection of today’s STR Registration program (purpose, process, payment)