City explains rental registration, penalties and reporting options after resident complaint

City code‑enforcement and legal staff explained Hammond’s rental‑registration process, the penalty for late registration and how residents can report suspected violations, including homestead fraud on rental properties.

Bill Lueder (Code Enforcement) said owners who convert a property from owner‑occupied to rental must register within 30 days of signing a lease, pay a $5 registration fee and renew the registration annually by April 15. Lueder said the city levies a $500 late fee for missed registrations and pursues enforcement when owners ignore notices. "If you're going to transfer your property over from owner occupied to rental ... you have 30 days to come down to the city, fill out the registration form, pay your $5," Lueder said.

Kevin Smith (Corporate Counsel) said landlords who miss the deadline can appeal first‑time late fees to the Board of Works; he said the board sometimes waives penalties for first offenses. Smith also described enforcement measures: if people ignore letters, the city has taken cases to court and obtained civil judgments that remain with the property and that can be discovered when a property transfers.

Scott Miller (Chief of Staff) and code enforcement staff urged residents to use Hammond’s 311 app to report suspected illegal rentals or improper homestead claims; staff said 311 reports can be submitted anonymously. Officials said the city receives reports at public meetings, crime watches and via 311 and will forward them to appropriate departments for follow‑up. City staff said they remove improper homestead designations at the county level when evidence supports removal.

No change to fee amounts or registration deadlines was proposed at Mayor’s Night Out; officials reiterated existing procedures and enforcement practices and asked residents with specific addresses to provide details so enforcement staff can investigate.