Is this ordinance even legal?

Question

I bought a property in a borough near Pittsburgh. I thought this was a joke at first but am told they require some form to be signed attesting to the owner/landlord living within 15 minutes driving distance of the property in order to rent it out.

Can they even do this and should I get my legal on this or just ignore and rent anyways?

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

'Legal' does not seem to matter much today. Cities and states are making up their own rules about a whole lot of stuff.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Is a law legal?

Well the only way to get a law deemed illegal is to have the Supreme Court to declare it so. Do you have Bigger(enough)Pockets to try to get a law overturned?

Account Closed · Answer

@Trevor Osgood first, find out if it is an actual ordinance. No use speculating until you know the actual requirements.

Then as others have said, you may be able to use a local PM.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

Absentee owners who manage from a distance generally maintain their properties in worse condition. As a way to reduce this risk, some cities require the owner or manager within a local area. That means someone can physically go to the property to oversee compliance to city ordinances. Here is the full text of one such ordinance for Charleroi Borough:

http://www.mcs360.com/document...

It is legal and more cities should probably do it. I am a landlord, so I know the reality of tenants and other landlords. Many tenants just don't care about the property and many owners look the other way as long as rent is being paid. Simple solution is hire a local property manager, realtor or someone else to be your local eyes on the property.

Jim K. · Answer

Charleroi in Washington County, right?

Steve K. · Answer

This is common in my area/Colorado in general especially the ski towns that still allow short term rentals. It's usually 45-60 minutes instead of 15 however, and a local rep or property manager can be the "designated agent" who is required to respond to nuisance complaints within the given time period. That person is supposed to be available to respond to any potential complaints 24/7.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I've heard of similar laws in a couple areas. They don't want out-of-area Landlords that are not keeping an eye on the property. As Scott said, you may get away with having a local representative (property manager, friend, relative, etc.)

Scott M. · Answer

Some cities in MI have this but there is always the alternative that if you do not live within X distance you need a local rep/manager or person for them to know about and be able to call.

Simply put, they want someone local that is going to be responsible for the property.

No idea about the legalities of it, but this is not something that is unheard of.

Is this ordinance even legal?

Most Popular Reply