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Resident urges council to address rental-property violations; mayor says city lacks authority on landlord-tenant disputes
Summary
Dr. Pearlie Morris told the June 16 council she submitted a list of properties she believes violate ordinance requirements; Mayor Hinkle said staff are reviewing the list and issuing citations where appropriate but that landlord-tenant disputes and HOA enforcement fall outside city authority.
At the June 16 meeting Dr. Pearlie Morris told the council she was concerned about potential new city regulation of rental properties and said she had "forwarded a list of properties in the city that violate the ordinance to City Hall." Mayor Arnold Hinkle responded that city staff — including Public Works Superintendent Jeff Ross and Code Enforcer Joe Lancey — are reviewing items on the list and issuing citations to properties not in compliance where appropriate.
Mayor Hinkle also clarified the city's limit of authority during the public comment exchange: "the city has no legal authority to enforce any regulations or actions about this matter. The city cannot intervene in disputes between landlords and tenants or impose penalties for violations of rental agreements; it is up to the Homeowners Association." That statement frames the council's capacity: the city can enforce code violations it has authority over but cannot adjudicate private lease disputes or HOA matters.
Council members urged residents to report observations to City Hall so staff can investigate potential code violations. For residents seeking property ownership or occupancy records, Councilwoman Thames pointed them to the county revenue website and offered to assist in navigating it.
