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Hammond waives late rental-registration fee for 1138 Morris Street; owner given compliance instructions
Summary
Hammond hearing waived a late rental-registration fee for 1138 Morris Street and instructed the owner to complete registration and paperwork; staff noted a homestead claim must be removed and the property may require inspection and licensed contractors for repairs.
Hammond city hearing officers on an administrative housing matter waived a late rental-registration fee for 1138 Morris Street and instructed the property owner to complete required paperwork and remedy outstanding issues.
Property owner Jorge Abelos Martinez told the hearing the building’s two apartments were damaged when prior tenants left and he repaired them slowly because of limited funds. “I didn’t get the register, rental register because, when the tenants left, like, in January and March, and they destroyed the 2 apartments, so I had to fix the floor, the holes on the wall, got a paint, and I didn't have the money to fix it,” Martinez said. He also told the hearing he had new leases dated Jan. 15.
City staff advised Martinez that the property must be registered annually by April 15 while in the owner’s possession, that any homestead claim on the property must be removed, and that licensed contractors must be used for planned repairs. Staff noted the property could require an inspection once repairs are completed. Martinez told the hearing he could provide a decision in two weeks about how he would proceed: “I could have the answer on that in 2 weeks. No problem.”
The board moved to waive the late fee and approved the waiver by voice vote. Staff told Martinez he could complete the highlighted registration sections after the meeting, submit the form, and pay the required fee; staff noted the $15 processing option for completing payment downstairs after the meeting.
The hearing record shows the city directed the owner to remove any improper homestead claim while the property is offered for rent and to register the three rental units for 2024 by the city’s April 15 deadline. City staff also reiterated that work must be done by licensed contractors and that an inspection may follow.
The matter was closed for the day after the waiver; the owner was given the opportunity to complete paperwork and return with documentation if further follow-up is required.
