News Articles
Crime-Free Ordinance information
Posted on Dec 29th, 2008
The following article was written by Mr. Mark Anderson, Deputy Director, Department of Neighborhood Standards, and explains the requirements of the new Crime Free Initiative. The article was published in the December 28th edition of the Aurora Beacon News:
In October, the city of Aurora took a positive step forward and joined more than 2,000 municipalities in 44 states by adopting several new ordinances. Collectively known as the crime-free housing initiative, these proactive and state-of-the-art laws are designed to create the best possible environment for rental and non-owner-occupied residential properties in the city. Their adoption was strongly supported by diverse community groups and residents and was unanimously approved by the Aurora City Council.
Aurora is a city where owner-occupied and non-owner occupied residences exist in the same neighborhoods. The effective operation of rental and non-owner-occupied property is an important factor in ensuring quality of life for all residents.
Here\'s a breakdown of the new standards:
• All non-owner-occupied residential dwelling units and buildings must be registered and licensed; even if no rent is paid. This covers all single-unit residences, condominium and townhome units regardless of age.
• All two-unit and multiple-unit buildings must be registered and licensed; even if owner-occupied.
• Licensed residential property owners must pay an annual fee and be inspected to ensure compliance with the standards of the Property Maintenance Code.
• Owners, tenants and occupants must sign written lease addenda acknowledging that adherence to criminal and maintenance laws is necessary or there may be eviction by the owner. This standard also applies to guests.
• Owners must conduct criminal background checks on all new tenants and occupants.
• Owners, landlords and agents must attend a crime-free housing class before August 31, 2009. Those who have already attended the city\'s landlord training school (in operation since 1992) or an approved crime-free housing class in another city are grandfathered.
Many property owners and landlords already incorporate these proactive guidelines into their management practices. For other landlords and property owners there will be increased responsibilities, as the bar of performance and expectation has been raised. Tenants will be held to a higher standard as well.
Consequences do exist for owners, tenants and occupants who allow their properties to become crime or maintenance problems. Verified instances of criminal activity and/or property code violations may result in fines and license revocation -- but only after due process and an open hearing before an administrative law judge. Problem property owners may also be assessed charges, allowing the city to recover its costs.
Properties will be licensed at the standard fee rate until April 17, 2009. Standard fees are $40 for a single-unit residence, $45 for a two-unit residence and $50 for a three- to five-unit multiple residence. After April 17, a $250 late entry fee takes effect in addition to the standard license charge.
Those who own a non-owner-occupied residential property in the city are required to have it registered and licensed. All single-unit, two-unit and multiple-unit buildings are subject to the same requirement. Buildings may be registered at the city\'s Department of Neighborhood Standards, One South Broadway, Aurora, Illinois 60505 (630-897-4589). License verification may be made by contacting this number as well. Application forms are available on the city\'s Web site at www.aurora-il.org. The quick link on the home page will take you to applications, approved bilingual lease addenda, adopted ordinances and other beneficial information concerning licensing and inspections. Registration may also be done by mail.
Classes are now being formed for next year\'s crime-free housing sessions. Classes review important aspects of effective property management such as tenant screening, property maintenance, fire safety, use of lease provisions, interaction with city departments and evictions. Call the Area Two Police Headquarters at 630-264-8101 for more information.
By working together to successfully implement these laws, we can make Aurora the best city it can be; a city that is second to none.
In October, the city of Aurora took a positive step forward and joined more than 2,000 municipalities in 44 states by adopting several new ordinances. Collectively known as the crime-free housing initiative, these proactive and state-of-the-art laws are designed to create the best possible environment for rental and non-owner-occupied residential properties in the city. Their adoption was strongly supported by diverse community groups and residents and was unanimously approved by the Aurora City Council.
Aurora is a city where owner-occupied and non-owner occupied residences exist in the same neighborhoods. The effective operation of rental and non-owner-occupied property is an important factor in ensuring quality of life for all residents.
Here\'s a breakdown of the new standards:
• All non-owner-occupied residential dwelling units and buildings must be registered and licensed; even if no rent is paid. This covers all single-unit residences, condominium and townhome units regardless of age.
• All two-unit and multiple-unit buildings must be registered and licensed; even if owner-occupied.
• Licensed residential property owners must pay an annual fee and be inspected to ensure compliance with the standards of the Property Maintenance Code.
• Owners, tenants and occupants must sign written lease addenda acknowledging that adherence to criminal and maintenance laws is necessary or there may be eviction by the owner. This standard also applies to guests.
• Owners must conduct criminal background checks on all new tenants and occupants.
• Owners, landlords and agents must attend a crime-free housing class before August 31, 2009. Those who have already attended the city\'s landlord training school (in operation since 1992) or an approved crime-free housing class in another city are grandfathered.
Many property owners and landlords already incorporate these proactive guidelines into their management practices. For other landlords and property owners there will be increased responsibilities, as the bar of performance and expectation has been raised. Tenants will be held to a higher standard as well.
Consequences do exist for owners, tenants and occupants who allow their properties to become crime or maintenance problems. Verified instances of criminal activity and/or property code violations may result in fines and license revocation -- but only after due process and an open hearing before an administrative law judge. Problem property owners may also be assessed charges, allowing the city to recover its costs.
Properties will be licensed at the standard fee rate until April 17, 2009. Standard fees are $40 for a single-unit residence, $45 for a two-unit residence and $50 for a three- to five-unit multiple residence. After April 17, a $250 late entry fee takes effect in addition to the standard license charge.
Those who own a non-owner-occupied residential property in the city are required to have it registered and licensed. All single-unit, two-unit and multiple-unit buildings are subject to the same requirement. Buildings may be registered at the city\'s Department of Neighborhood Standards, One South Broadway, Aurora, Illinois 60505 (630-897-4589). License verification may be made by contacting this number as well. Application forms are available on the city\'s Web site at www.aurora-il.org. The quick link on the home page will take you to applications, approved bilingual lease addenda, adopted ordinances and other beneficial information concerning licensing and inspections. Registration may also be done by mail.
Classes are now being formed for next year\'s crime-free housing sessions. Classes review important aspects of effective property management such as tenant screening, property maintenance, fire safety, use of lease provisions, interaction with city departments and evictions. Call the Area Two Police Headquarters at 630-264-8101 for more information.
By working together to successfully implement these laws, we can make Aurora the best city it can be; a city that is second to none.
Posted by AldermanKeith on Dec 28, 2008 - 03:00 PM