HB 1381

MUNICIPAL REGISTRY OF RESIDE NTIAL RENTAL DWELLING UNITS This bill authorizes a county, including any county having a metropolitan form of government, or incorporated city or town in this state (together, " municipality "") to create, implement, and enforce a rental property registry f or all residential rental dwelling units that are leased or rented within the municipality's jurisdiction. A municipal registry of residential rental dwelling units must include, at a minimum, all of the following:  The physical address of each residential rental dwelling unit .  The name, mailing address, and contact information of the owner of the residential rental dwelling unit .  The name and contact information of the property management entity for the residential rental dwelling unit, if any .  The number of separate rental units at the residential rental dwelling unit .  Verification that the residential rental dwelling unit complies with applicable building codes, zoning ordinances, and health and safety regulations. REGISTRATION BY OWNER This bill requires e ach owner of a residential rental dwelling unit located in a municipality that adopts a registry to register the residential rental dwelling unit with the municipality on an annual basis. A municipality may charge a reasonable fee to cover admin istrative costs associated with maintaining the registry. F ailure by an owner to register a residential rental dwelling unit may result in civil penalties or other legal action, as established by the governing body of the municipality. However, the follo wing properties are exempt from registration:  Owner-occupied residential rental dwelling units that rent fewer than two units on the premises .  Residential rental dwelling units owned by governmental or quasi-governmental entities. CODE ENFORCEMENT This bill requires a municipality that adopts a registry to integrate the registry into the municipality's code enforcement processes to assist in monitoring and enforcing compliance with health, safety, and housing standards. A municipality may inspect a registered residential rental dwelling unit to ensure compliance, consistent with state and local laws. CONFIDENTIALITY This bill provides that n on-sensitive information that is contained in a registry established under this bill is not confidential an d may be made accessible to tenants and the public. However, p roprietary or personal information contained in the registry is confidential and not open to inspection as a public record. CONFLICT OF LAWS This bill does not preempt or override any existi ng state law or rule and must be construed to supplement such laws and rules. ANNUAL REPORT This bill requires a municipality that establishes a registry to submit an annual report to the department of economic and community development, in such manner as the department may require, that details (i) t he number of properties registered, ( ii ) c ode violations identified and resolved, and ( iii ) t he overall effectiveness of the registry in improving housing conditions."