The East Mississippi REALTORS is calling for Meridian Mayor Jimmie Smith to veto an ordinance that would require rental property owners to register their properties with the city. The City Council voted to approve the ordinance in a meeting Tuesday.

 

In a news release, EMR said it is against the new ordinance as it could negatively impact Meridian’s market for rental properties.

 

“EMR showed strong opposition to this ordinance due to the negative impact it could have on our local rental market, property owners, as well as tenants,” the organization stated. “Our city has thousands of rental properties and most property owners and tenants were not made aware of this ordinance, nor did they have a chance to express their concerns. The result of this ordinance could very possibly send a shockwave through our community subsequently leaving a shortage of available rental units, possible increases in monthly rents and conceivably decreases in property values.”

 

Work to draft an ordinance governing rental properties began in September as a way to help city code enforcement officers identify where rental properties are and who owns them.

 

Community Development Director Craig Hitt, whose office is over code enforcement, explained to council members that while many rental properties are in good condition, code enforcement officers have also found some that are not fit for habitation. Under the current regulations, addressing those properties involves mailing letters to the owners, waiting for a reply, setting court dates and more, a process that takes several months minimum.

 

By having rental properties registered with contact information for the owners, code enforcement hopes to resolve problems directly and avoid the time and labor intensive process of going to court.

 

East Mississippi REALTORS members, which collectively manage about 300 rental properties in the city, met with the council in September to share their concerns about the ordinance and unintended impacts it may have on the community. Among the concerns were that heavy handed regulations could cause owners to sell off their rental properties, creating a shortage in the city, registration fees or penalties could drive up rent, and that the ordinance could be used maliciously by disgruntled tenants.

 

In the September meeting, EMR asked for time to review the proposed ordinance and meet with city officials to give input on how the language could be improved.

 

In its statement Thursday, the organization said those meetings did not happen, but it still wants to work with the city to help craft an ordinance that is acceptable for all involved.

 

“EMR has and is continuing to express their willingness to work with the City on a rental ordinance that is impartial, clear, and satisfactory to the City as well as property owners and tenants. Our community’s need for ample and safe housing takes priority for our association and we wish to ensure that anyone impacted has an opportunity for their concerns to be included in the creation of an ordinance that is reasonable for all.”

 

In addition to requesting the mayor veto the council order approving the rental ordinance, EMR is also calling on Meridian residents and renters to reach out the mayor’s office to add their support for a veto as well.

Read the full statement by East Mississippi REALTORS here.