Kennett landlords challenge city's inspection program, citing financial and ethical concerns

Dear Editor,

We are writing in response to the recent article by Mayor Jake Crafton regarding the housing inspection program in Kennett, Missouri.

As landlords in this community, we have serious concerns about the integrity of this process and its impact on both property owners and residents.

From the outset, landlords were misled about the nature and implementation of the new inspection program. We were assured that there would be opportunities for input, as we share a vested interest in ensuring quality living environments for tenants. However, when the city scheduled a meeting to discuss these inspections, it was held at a time that made attendance impossible for most landlords.

Despite promises of a collaborative approach, the city unilaterally developed an extensive and burdensome list of requirements—many of which are unrelated to essential safety measures.

Mayor Crafton personally assured multiple landlords that this would be a simple walkthrough process focused solely on safety, not an exhaustive evaluation of aesthetic details. Yet, the reality has proven otherwise. The program includes numerous nitpicky requirements that go well beyond safety concerns, placing unnecessary financial and logistical burdens on landlords and tenants alike.

Among the most problematic aspects of this program is the imposition of inspection fees.

Potential renters must pay a $50 inspection fee before being allowed to move in, and landlords are charged an additional $50 for a third inspection if necessary to approve the move-in.

These fees raise several questions: Where are these funds going? Why is this financial burden placed on landlords who are already contributing through substantial property taxes? Shouldn’t the city have the resources to pay inspectors without imposing additional fees?

Furthermore, the legal authority of the city to determine who can and cannot rent privately owned property is highly questionable.

We have seen instances where inspection fees and processes were applied to tenants who had previously lived in a property but did not have city utilities in their name, even though no actual move took place. This bureaucratic red tape discourages renting in Kennett and threatens to decrease the city’s population—which will, in turn, reduce sales tax revenue.

The ethical implications of this program are equally troubling.

It appears to disproportionately target lower-income families, many of whom are part of Kennett’s African American and Hispanic communities. Some city council members have even made statements about removing “riff-raff” from Kennett, language that carries clear racist undertones. Such attitudes have no place in our community.

We also question whether large housing complexes, such as MACO Housing, Cotton Boll Commons, and Eli Walker Apartments, are being held to these same standards.

Transparency is lacking regarding the qualifications of the designated inspector, Chris Skelton, whose interactions with multiple landlords and tenants have been described as unprofessional, rude, and condescending.

This inspection program interferes with the Freedom of Housing Act and hinders free commerce by driving up rental prices. The aesthetic repairs being demanded push monthly rents higher and higher, making housing less affordable.

Meanwhile, truly dangerous and dilapidated properties throughout the city remain untouched. This selective enforcement is both illogical and unfair.

Ironically, at a time when voters across Missouri and other red states have expressed a desire for less government interference, our local government seems determined to adopt heavy-handed policies reminiscent of the previous federal administration.

This program unfairly targets families who are unable to purchase homes, creating a prejudiced system that determines who can and cannot reside in Kennett. We urge current and prospective renters to contact their city council representatives to express their concerns.

It is time for Kennett’s leadership to prioritize fairness, transparency, and meaningful dialogue with property owners and residents alike.

We encourage residents to contact Kennett City Council members or Mayor Jake Crafton directly to voice their displeasure with this burdensome process that unfairly impacts both landlords and renters alike, ultimately causing unnecessary financial strain.

Additionally, concerned residents are encouraged to attend city council meetings to voice their opinions and advocate for changes to this unfair system.

Sincerely,

Kennett Landlord Association