Officials Will Revisit Ordinance That Would Require Additional Home Inspection

Members of the Washington Township council decided Monday to postpone a vote on the approval of an ordinance that would require an inspection of a dwelling prior to a sale or rental to ensure there are no outstanding permits or safety issues.

Councilmen , which called for the seller or landlord to pay $200 to cover two inspections. It also included a fine of $100 per day if problems are not fixed within a given time frame.

Some residents said they thought the $200 cost was too great, especially considering the already high taxes residents face.

Resident Rosa D'Ambra said, "We are not your ATM machine."

Council President Fred Goetz said that the $200 cost for sellers was meant to cover the expense of sending out the inspectors, not to make money for the township.

Resident and realtor David Snyde agreed that taxes and expenses were rising in the township, forcing some seniors to move. He also thought the $200 cost was high, especially considering that most people check for open permits during the buying process already, which he advises for his clients.

But Goetz said that not every lawyer or realtor will advise clients to take the extra step to check for open permits and that during tough economic times, buyers may choose not to use a realtor.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said there have been cases in the township where new residents have applied for permits for a home project only to find the residence has outstanding permits for which the new owners are responsible.

Resident Peter Calamari asked if officials were over-regulating, saying at a certain point they have to let the "buyer beware."

Councilman Joseph D'Urso, who made the motion to table the ordinance, said he wanted to make sure the township's bookkeeping was in order because he said he had outstanding permits listed for his own home from the Building Department but had the paperwork for final inspections that were completed.

"Maybe we should make improvements to our Building Department and the record keeping [first]," D'Urso said.

Councilmen unanimously voted to table the CCO ordinance. They will likely have further discussion about the measure at the Nov. 1 meeting and plan to take a vote on its approval Nov. 21.