Kennett enforces new rental regulations to ensure basic living standards

KENNETT, Mo. - More than two dozen landlords here failed to comply with a city ordinance adopted last year that calls for business licenses and properties to be registered with the city.

Kennett Code Enforcement Officer Victor Mode told councilors at Tuesday's meeting of the Kennett City Council that approximately 25 landlords are non-compliant and that citations are on the horizon.

That number escalated to 30 by Wednesday afternoon.

A Kennett city official told The Delta Dunklin Democrat that accountability didn't end with property owners, but that prospective tenants must obtain an occupancy permit and home inspection at a cost of $50.

There are no fees associated with rental property registration, unless the home fails two inspections, the official said.

Once prospective tenants pay the occupancy permit fee and the rental home passes inspection, tenants are free to move in.

If the home fails the first inspection, the landlord has a period of time to address the issues before a second inspection takes place, the official said.

There are no fees associated with the second inspection, the official said.

However, if the home fails a second inspection, then accountability is placed on the shoulders of landlords, who must then pay $50 for a third inspection.

A councilor who commented anonymously said 80 percent of inspected homes failed initial inspections because of minor infractions, but passed second inspections after landlords made necessary adjustments or affected repairs.

However, landlords are expected to register properties under their own names, not LLCs, which was a sticking point in some courtrooms. With no owners' names attached to addresses, courts occasionally have difficulties locating landlords if civil or criminal violations are being litigated.

“We’re not trying to go out of the way to look at cosmetics," Kennett Mayor Jake Crafton is quoted as saying back in June. "We’re looking for basic living standards."

The checklist includes exterior, interior, plumbing, electrical and infestation inspections, and every business license includes the addresses of individual properties that landlords plan to rent.

Crafton said the ordinances will benefit both landlords and tenants.

Tenants' behaviors regarding maintenance and property abuse might be tracked by the ordinance as well. If tenants destroy rental units or trash a property, they'll be unable to rent again within the city limits if landlords are not reimbursed for damages. Certificates of occupancy will be denied to those who choose to destroy others' property until that property is habitable and can pass a city inspection, per the ordinance.

So, while 58 landlords are in compliance with 1,054 properties registered, those who are not will be notified soon by the city, Mode said.

"In the near future, we will be sending out notices of violation," Mode said. "If properties are not registered as required, tickets will be issued."

Fines are set by the courts, and may, per ordinance, reach the $1,000 mark, Mode said Wednesday.

In other business the council:

Tabled discussion regarding a contract between the city and Vector Disease Control with respect to mosquito control. The five year contract totals $97,825 annually a $7,000 increase, to be paid in 12 equal installments of $8,152.08 each and, if approved, applies to the 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 term, according to the contract.

Approved the Airport Management Agreement, Airport Real Estate Lease and Airport Agricultural Lease, as approved by the Airport Board of Directors.

The Kennett City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at the council chambers at Kennett City Hall, 200 Cedar St., Kennett.

The public is encouraged to attend.