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Virginia resident asks council to clarify rental-licensing rules after city treats cost-sharing household as 'landlord'
Summary
At the public forum Thomas Wheelander said the city's rental ordinance labeled him a landlord even though he said he shares costs with a friend; mayor directed him to meet Community Development Director Jenny Bubenet for clarification.
At the start of the Virginia City Council meeting Nov. 10, Thomas Wheelander, a lifelong resident, told the council he stopped renting properties after the city's rental ordinance took effect but later received letters telling him some properties he owns required rental licensing. Wheelander said he is not acting as a landlord in at least one six-bedroom house where he lives and cost-shares with a friend; he asked for objective criteria to determine when a homeowner is a landlord.
Wheelander told the council he lacked resources to litigate the issue and asked for clearer administrative criteria or a route to have the city test that classification in a neutral forum. "I don't believe I'm a landlord and you insist I'm a landlord," Wheelander said, describing the personal impact of the city's determinations.
Mayor Cuffee thanked Wheelander and asked him to meet with Jenny Bubenet, the Community Development Director, during business hours to walk through the process and explore whether administrative adjustments or clarifications are possible. Bubenet and staff were referenced as able to review the matter and discuss next steps.
The council did not take formal action on the complaint at the meeting; staff were asked to follow up and meet with the resident so the matter can be clarified or adjusted administratively where appropriate.
