Rental Properties Subject of Huntington Hearing

The Town of Huntington is examining legal changes that could impact residential rental properties that are not owner-occupied. These changes will be addressed at an Oct. 21 public hearing in Town Hall in Huntington.

In particular, units would be required to obtain annual permits before they can be shown to prospective tenants. They would also be required to meet all Town codes. These aspect were addresed at the Sept. 16 Huntington Town Board meeting.

The board scheduled an Oct. 21 public hearing on a proposal, sponsored by Councilwoman Tracey Edwards, that would amend town code to hold owners of all residential rental properties to standards aimed at protecting tenants from living in buildings that are substandard, hazardous or dangerous.

“This amendment ensures that all residential rental property owners in the Town of Huntington are complying with building and fire codes, protects the tenants, makes it safer for emergency personnel who might have to respond to a location and assists in neighborhood preservation,” Councilwoman Edwards said.

Edwards’ resolution applies to non-owner-occupied residential buildings and does not change the current procedures concerning accessory apartments. The resolution:

• Requires rental permits for any rental property or dwelling unit, including hotel and motel rooms, and makes it unlawful for tenants to occupy rental units that do not have permits.

• Prohibits real estate agents from listing or showing rental properties that do not have permits

• Establishes procedures, and fees, for applying for the permits, which must be renewed annually.

• Requires that the application include a certification from a licensed professional engineer or architect, or a Town code enforcement officer, that the property complies with Town code and Town, Suffolk County, state and federal codes, laws and regulations. If the property is not in compliance, no permit will be granted and violations will be issued, if applicable.

Property owners with accessory apartments already have had to meet the requirements. “This raises the standards so that if you are running a business by renting properties in Huntington, you are doing so responsibly,” Edwards said.

“If persons renting out parts of their homes to make ends meet are required to meet basic standards, shouldn’t the same standards apply to people who are renting units for profit?” Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. “These changes offer protections to renters and help preserve neighborhoods by requiring that residential rental properties meet Town codes.

The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21.