Brooklawn staff proposes pet fees and phased rent increases for borough-owned rentals

Town staff outlined a package of changes intended to help Brooklawn maintain and reinvest in its portfolio of borough-owned rental homes, including a proposed pet-fee policy and several approaches to raise rents gradually.

Christina Hkins, the staff lead on the borough homes portfolio, told the council that the borough’s long-standing “no pets” policy has frequently been violated and that recent move-outs revealed substantial damage. “Two households that moved out that had pets had substantial damage,” Hkins said, citing examples including carpet damage and pervasive odors. She said staff is proposing a fee charged at lease renewal—illustrative amounts presented to the council were $20 a month for the first pet and $35 for a second pet, with a two‑pet cap—and that the fee would be collected only at the time of lease renewal because lease terms cannot be changed mid-term.

Hkins also presented three approaches for raising rents across the housing portfolio: a flat-dollar increase for all units, a flat percentage increase, or a tiered percentage scaled to length of tenancy (for example, 15-plus years = 2%, 10–15 years = 3%, shorter tenures larger increases). She emphasized the increases would take effect at renewals rather than mid-lease and recommended protections for long-term tenants and seniors: “The longer that you’ve been in there, the smaller increase,” she said.

Why it matters: Brooklawn has increased revenue from rental operations but limited capital earmarked for recurring maintenance. Hkins told the council that reinvesting modest sums—new windows, porches and flooring—can prevent larger future capital costs and preserve habitability. She said a modest administrative fee from pet compliance or targeted rent increases could be reinvested into repairs and improve long-term housing quality.

Council discussion and next steps: Members debated the balance between preserving affordability and raising revenue. Several council members asked for exemptions or gentler treatment for seniors and households in long‑term affordable programs; staff noted some units are subject to deed restrictions and income certifications that limit allowable rent. Council also discussed enforcement mechanisms (inspection, damage reimbursement, and eviction as a last resort) and asked staff to draft a resolution for the proposed pet fee and to circulate final numbers before the March meeting.

Sale and reuse of specific homes: The report also covered options for particular properties in the portfolio. On 207 New Jersey, the council debated whether to re-run an auction or pursue a private sale with deed restrictions; realtor outreach produced interest at a figure staff said could reach $200,000 but a private sale would require an ordinance (two readings) while an auction can be completed faster under a resolution. For a vacant four-bedroom at 228 Christian Street, staff estimated modest rehab costs (roughly $6,000) and a potential market rent near $2,400; council members weighed higher rent against expected turnover and higher upkeep for larger units.

What’s next: Staff will prepare draft language for the pet-fee resolution and circulate a lease-renewal schedule; council asked staff to preserve protections for seniors and deed‑restricted homes and to return with a clear revenue/expense impact projection and proposed ordinance language for any private-sale authorization.