Laramie considers landlord recognition program as rental‑housing licensing continues; council gives staff a green light
August 27, 2025 | Laramie City Council, Laramie City, Albany County, Wyoming
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LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Laramie City Council on Aug. 26 heard a proposal for a landlord recognition program and an update on the city's rental‑housing licensing and complaint process.
The council gave staff a general green light to develop the recognition program further and to coordinate it with existing community efforts, including town‑and‑gown and vulnerable‑adult outreach groups.
What was presented: Samuel Blasifer, an intern in the city manager's office, delivered a city staff concept for a voluntary landlord recognition program aimed at rewarding property owners and managers who exceed the minimum standards in Laramie Municipal Code 8.8 and Wyoming state law. Blasifer said the program would use clear, published criteria, an online directory and city social media to highlight qualifying landlords.
"The purpose of this program is to create incentives for landlords and property managers in Laramie who go beyond the expected standards," Blasifer told council. He described two tiers: a certified partner level for landlords who meet the criteria and a gold tier for those who also receive tenant nominations.
Implementation and tools: Staff told council the program could be developed without new hires. Blasifer outlined a development timeline of roughly four to five months — two months to write formal processes and materials, a small pilot with 5–10 landlords in month three, then a broader application phase — and estimated 20–40 staff hours annually once the program is established. The city would offer educational materials for landlords and tenants, a no‑fault preinspection for qualifying properties, and priority processing for registrations from recognized landlords.
Rental‑code status and complaint process: City Clerk Nancy Bartholomew and Assistant City Manager Todd Feazer updated council on implementation of Laramie Municipal Code 8.8 (rental housing). Key points:
- Registered rental dwelling units: 2,138 (reporting date July 3, 2025).
- Total rental dwelling units reported in city materials: 6,491 (context for program scale).
- Complaints received since May 20, 2024: 77; of those, 70 involved notification of unregistered units; 43 were registered after complaint processing and 26 remained unregistered as of Aug. 21, 2025.
- Habitability issues raised in complaints (percentage of complaint mentions): mold 22%, plumbing 22%, weatherproofing 21%, pests 14%, appliances 7%, heating 7%, structural integrity 7%.
How enforcement works: Feazer described the city’s complaint pathway. Tenants must file a written complaint and provide written notice to the landlord (10 days before filing; 48 hours if an essential service is at risk). City inspectors visit to examine only the items alleged in the complaint and request corrective action. Penalties under the municipal code include a roughly $100 monthly penalty for unregistered units and fines up to $750 per day for unresolved habitability violations; staff reported zero fines collected to date. Councilors were told the city has used a largely passive enforcement approach and that most cases are resolved without court when landlords take corrective action.
Council feedback and coordination: Council members praised the recognition concept as a “carrot” to encourage better landlord practices. Councilor Vigil and others urged staff to coordinate the program with town‑and‑gown efforts, the vulnerable‑adult task force and the Albany County Housing Coalition to avoid duplication and to use existing tenant education resources. City staff said they would share materials and connect with existing programs; the council signaled support for the concept and asked staff to return with a more developed plan and connections to the October work session on a proposed landlord loan/grant program.
What happens next: Staff will refine program criteria, align materials with existing tenant education resources, run a small pilot and return to council with implementation details and any needed budget items. The city manager also noted the recognition program could be used to give priority in future landlord financial assistance programs, which are scheduled for further council discussion in October.
— Reporting from the Laramie City Council work session transcript and staff presentation.
The council gave staff a general green light to develop the recognition program further and to coordinate it with existing community efforts, including town‑and‑gown and vulnerable‑adult outreach groups.
What was presented: Samuel Blasifer, an intern in the city manager's office, delivered a city staff concept for a voluntary landlord recognition program aimed at rewarding property owners and managers who exceed the minimum standards in Laramie Municipal Code 8.8 and Wyoming state law. Blasifer said the program would use clear, published criteria, an online directory and city social media to highlight qualifying landlords.
"The purpose of this program is to create incentives for landlords and property managers in Laramie who go beyond the expected standards," Blasifer told council. He described two tiers: a certified partner level for landlords who meet the criteria and a gold tier for those who also receive tenant nominations.
Implementation and tools: Staff told council the program could be developed without new hires. Blasifer outlined a development timeline of roughly four to five months — two months to write formal processes and materials, a small pilot with 5–10 landlords in month three, then a broader application phase — and estimated 20–40 staff hours annually once the program is established. The city would offer educational materials for landlords and tenants, a no‑fault preinspection for qualifying properties, and priority processing for registrations from recognized landlords.
Rental‑code status and complaint process: City Clerk Nancy Bartholomew and Assistant City Manager Todd Feazer updated council on implementation of Laramie Municipal Code 8.8 (rental housing). Key points:
- Registered rental dwelling units: 2,138 (reporting date July 3, 2025).
- Total rental dwelling units reported in city materials: 6,491 (context for program scale).
- Complaints received since May 20, 2024: 77; of those, 70 involved notification of unregistered units; 43 were registered after complaint processing and 26 remained unregistered as of Aug. 21, 2025.
- Habitability issues raised in complaints (percentage of complaint mentions): mold 22%, plumbing 22%, weatherproofing 21%, pests 14%, appliances 7%, heating 7%, structural integrity 7%.
How enforcement works: Feazer described the city’s complaint pathway. Tenants must file a written complaint and provide written notice to the landlord (10 days before filing; 48 hours if an essential service is at risk). City inspectors visit to examine only the items alleged in the complaint and request corrective action. Penalties under the municipal code include a roughly $100 monthly penalty for unregistered units and fines up to $750 per day for unresolved habitability violations; staff reported zero fines collected to date. Councilors were told the city has used a largely passive enforcement approach and that most cases are resolved without court when landlords take corrective action.
Council feedback and coordination: Council members praised the recognition concept as a “carrot” to encourage better landlord practices. Councilor Vigil and others urged staff to coordinate the program with town‑and‑gown efforts, the vulnerable‑adult task force and the Albany County Housing Coalition to avoid duplication and to use existing tenant education resources. City staff said they would share materials and connect with existing programs; the council signaled support for the concept and asked staff to return with a more developed plan and connections to the October work session on a proposed landlord loan/grant program.
What happens next: Staff will refine program criteria, align materials with existing tenant education resources, run a small pilot and return to council with implementation details and any needed budget items. The city manager also noted the recognition program could be used to give priority in future landlord financial assistance programs, which are scheduled for further council discussion in October.
— Reporting from the Laramie City Council work session transcript and staff presentation.
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