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Committee weighs ordinance to tighten property‑manager licensing and require public registry
Summary
The Committee on Legislation reviewed an ordinance amendment to require clearer disclosures on property manager license applications, a public registry of managers, signage at managed properties and duties aligned with state real property tax law; council members supported increased transparency but final form remained pending with corporation counsel.
The Committee on Legislation heard an extended presentation on an ordinance amendment designed to tighten property‑manager licensing and increase transparency.
The sponsor told the committee the current city application “doesn't ask the question about whether or not you're maintaining a property,” and said the proposal would require applicants to disclose email addresses, whether they will collect rents or negotiate rentals, and to list properties they manage on a city webpage so residents and council members can identify managers. The sponsor asked the corporation counsel to draft the ordinance amendment "to add the new required information to the property manager license application, with updated additional requested language defining the duties of a property manager."
Council members spoke in favor, citing resident complaints and safety concerns. One council member said the change would provide “more transparency and accountability for property managers,” noting that the registry and on‑site signage could help tenants and neighbors contact managers. Another recounted a complaint involving unsafe electrical work at a tenant’s home, saying crews had been "running electricity from the 2nd floor to the basement to run their washer," as an example of why stronger requirements matter.
The sponsor also told the committee the amendment would clarify that, under real property tax law, individuals who collect rent or show properties must be licensed by the state as a salesperson, broker or associate. The sponsor said the proposed ordinance would define the duties a city property manager license allows and require signage on managed properties.
Several council members asked to be added as co‑sponsors. The sponsor said corporation counsel (law department) has already drafted the amendment and the item would remain on the table until an approved "form" of the ordinance was available for formal approval.
The committee discussion was substantive and supportive but did not record a final vote on the ordinance amendment in the transcript. Next steps: the law department will finalize the form of the amendment and the item will return when the draft is available.
