The City of Williamsburg on July 10 reintroduced "Rent Ready Williamsburg," a voluntary rental certification program designed to raise safety, lease fairness and property management standards in neighborhoods near the College of William and Mary.

Planning Director Tavia Griffin presented the program's framework: a quality‑assessment inspection (interior and exterior), a property rating published online, a Rent Ready Academy for renters and landlords, and a partnership with the university to market certified properties to students and parents. Griffin said the city and the college "have agreed to endorse all rent ready homes," which would give certified units priority on a city‑run online housing platform and at on‑campus housing fairs.

Griffin said Rent Ready grew from the Neighborhood Balance Committee's 27 concepts and has been included in the city's Goals, Initiatives and Outcomes across several years. The program would apply to four rental inspection districts close to the college (Districts 1–4); District 5 is excluded because it is not near campus. Properties that maintain consistently high quality scores could be eligible for conversion to a four‑person rental under program rules, Griffin said.

Griffin described next steps and timing: a program web page was to be launched the week of July 10, a public comment period and draft ordinance would be posted in early August, and three public input sessions were planned in August and September when students return to campus. Staff aims to bring a final proposal to council for adoption in November or December, subject to public feedback.

Council members praised the program's partnership with William and Mary and its potential to give families and students more reliable rental options. Mayor Ponds said the university's endorsement "is critical" because it gives parents and students assurance about the quality of endorsed properties.

Residents who spoke during open forum said parking remains a major neighborhood concern for Indian Springs and other streets with student rentals. Missy Carr, a resident of Indian Springs Road, told council she fears additional parking generated by a nearby proposed development called Hornsby Field would produce hazardous conditions for children, pedestrians and emergency vehicles. Susanna Livingston and Diane Jacobson also urged the city to resist concentrations of student rentals that they said could erode neighborhood character.

Resident Jim Heller suggested staff consider publicly rating non‑participating properties' exterior condition as well, to give renters and parents more comparative information and to encourage improvements. Griffin said the public input sessions will be an opportunity to refine program details including marketing, enforcement and the Rent Ready Academy curriculum.