Richardson Rental Registration Program - Ordinance 3847
Richardson's rental ordinance was conceived in 2003 despite many objections.
In 2009, the city of Richardson (a suburb of Dallas, Texas) started charging a $50 registration fee and requiring an inspection for each rental property. The ordinance has been updated since, and effective January 1, 2012, the fee is $75, with a re-inspection fee of $90.
We have registered our rentals and paid the registration fee since 2009. If you don’t register your rental, you will be cited, requiring a court appearance. You will also be cited if you don't allow the inspection.
See what was important to the council during its discussion of revision of the ordinance on November 28, 2011 (See Item 8A2).
In 2009, the city of Richardson (a suburb of Dallas, Texas) started charging a $50 registration fee and requiring an inspection for each rental property. The ordinance has been updated since, and effective January 1, 2012, the fee is $75, with a re-inspection fee of $90.
We have registered our rentals and paid the registration fee since 2009. If you don’t register your rental, you will be cited, requiring a court appearance. You will also be cited if you don't allow the inspection.
See what was important to the council during its discussion of revision of the ordinance on November 28, 2011 (See Item 8A2).
Rental Inspections
This was our experience and that of other landlords.
We initially refused an inspection and we were cited. So we scheduled an inspection and made the property available, as the ordinance requires. The ordinance also says that an inspection requires “the occupant’s permission.” When our tenants denied access, the city insisted that we, as the owner-landlord, override the tenant’s refusal under threat of the city's issuing an administrative warrant.
City inspectors showed up at our rental with a warrant, with no probable cause, and THE POLICE. When they were unable to gain access because no one answered, then they issued us a second citation. We went to trial and this is what happened (trial transcript).
In fear of prosecution, some landlords are coercing tenants to allow inspections.
According to a Dallas Morning News' article, the Richardson Director of Community Services is quoted as saying, " In 2012, the city inspected 644 properties, and only one failed." The city is wasting its resources on going after good landlords (with citations, issuing warrants and taking the police to the rentals) instead of cracking down on bad landlords who don't want to take care of their properties.
We initially refused an inspection and we were cited. So we scheduled an inspection and made the property available, as the ordinance requires. The ordinance also says that an inspection requires “the occupant’s permission.” When our tenants denied access, the city insisted that we, as the owner-landlord, override the tenant’s refusal under threat of the city's issuing an administrative warrant.
City inspectors showed up at our rental with a warrant, with no probable cause, and THE POLICE. When they were unable to gain access because no one answered, then they issued us a second citation. We went to trial and this is what happened (trial transcript).
In fear of prosecution, some landlords are coercing tenants to allow inspections.
According to a Dallas Morning News' article, the Richardson Director of Community Services is quoted as saying, " In 2012, the city inspected 644 properties, and only one failed." The city is wasting its resources on going after good landlords (with citations, issuing warrants and taking the police to the rentals) instead of cracking down on bad landlords who don't want to take care of their properties.
Legal Challenges
Similar ordinances have been challenged in other cities throughout the country, including Garland.
In some cases, such involuntary inspections have been ruled unconstitutional.
Richardson Coalition against Rental Inspections
In some cases, such involuntary inspections have been ruled unconstitutional.
Richardson Coalition against Rental Inspections