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Bedford revamps multifamily inspections; 35 properties inspected, six ranked Tier 3
Summary
Development staff reported the first-quarter results of a retooled multifamily property inspection program: all 35 registered properties were inspected and assigned tiers that determine how frequently staff will reinspect. Code staff also reported 2,300 code violations in 2024 and 631 new violations in Q1 2025.
Bedford’s Neighborhood Services reported a relaunch of the city’s multifamily registration and inspection program to the City Council on May 13, saying all 35 registered properties (about 8,100 units) received a first-quarter property-maintenance inspection and were assigned one of three tiers that determine reinspection frequency.
Development director Wes Morrison said the retabulated inspections found 15 properties at Tier 1, 14 at Tier 2 and 6 at Tier 3. Tier 1 properties are inspected once a year; Tier 2 twice; Tier 3 three times under the ordinance’s scoring system. Morrison said the program was moved into Neighborhood Services after earlier implementation problems and that city staff believe the current inspection procedures provide a more accurate annual baseline.
Morrison told the council that the city recorded 2,300 code violations in 2024, conducted 67 city-initiated abatements, issued 94 citations or court summonses and registered 68 long‑term rentals and 35 short‑term rentals. For the first quarter of 2025, staff reported 631 code cases opened.
“On average days to compliance are 15 days in Bedford,” Morrison said, noting that Bedford’s 7-day initial abatement notice is more aggressive than many peer cities, and that some cases require longer timeframes or court action to resolve. He described the typical enforcement workflow: inspection, posted and mailed notice, reinspection after seven days, then additional notice and either abatement by the city or legal action if a violation remains.
Council members pressed staff on Tier 3 properties and enforcement options; Morrison said the ordinance allows the city to require a property to stop leasing if it remains at a low tier for an extended period and that a Chapter 54 civil suit is available for habitual or egregious nuisances, although litigation is costly.
Morrison also described patrol and data improvements: staff aim to patrol every street about once a month, and a new fleet-tracking tool allows the city to confirm patrol coverage. He said average abatement cost for city-initiated actions (generally trash, debris or mowing) is about $1,500 per instance. Morrison proposed additional public education, a tenant-rights/multifamily-ordinance update to be considered soon, and a possible tool‑sharing program to help residents who lack equipment to remedy violations.
The council voiced support for tougher enforcement of troubled multifamily properties and asked staff to return with ordinance revisions and monitoring data.
