Landlord registration for anyone who rents residential properties has begun, directed by the Boardman Township Office of Planning and Zoning.
      The registration drive began July 1 and will continue to Feb., 2019.
      Properties that are not registered by the end Feb., 2019 will be subject to penalty fees, according to the Planning/Zoning Office.
      Krista Beniston, township director of planning and zoning, told Boardman Trustees on Monday some 3500 letters have been mailed to properties identified as possible rentals.
      The township’s Landlord Registration Program is intended to help combat absentee landlord issues, help protect the integrity of local neighborhoods and help to maintain property values.
      According to census figures, there are 5685 rental units in Boardman.
      “To date, we have 174 units registered,” Beniston said.
      Boardman’s Landlord Registration Program was undertaken after three court decisions.
      On June 30, 2015, a Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas upheld the township’s authority to implement the program, that includes maintenance standards.
      That decision was appealed to the Seventh District Court of Appeals, that affirmed the lower court’s decision on Mar. 29, 2017; and then that decision was appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court that declined to accept jurisdiction on the case on Dec. 6, 2017.
      According to the township’s planning/zoning office, the registration program will make landlords accountable for the condition of their property, and help to insure residential rentals will be provided safe, clean living conditions.
      The registration program gives landlords as well as tenants an opportunity to file complaints with the planning/zoning office.
      “Everyone who lives in Boardman Township has the right to expect safe, clean living conditions,” Beniston said.
      The registration program will mandate that Section 8 housing units be required to meet minimum standards of Boardman Township.
      Landlords who do not register with Boardman Township will face stiff fines.
      Following is a listing of standards required for rental units under the newly-implemented landlord registration program:
       •Exterior areas shall be free of any accumulation of refuse and debris.
       •Handrails shall be installed in accordance with the applicable building code in Mahoning County.
       •Windows shall not be cracked or broken or boarded and shall not admit moisture.
       •Exterior doors shall be free of holes and splits and shall be firmly secured with operable locking mechanism.
       •Exterior entryways shall be equipped with lighting.
       •Exterior steps shall be equipped with lighting.
       •Interior premises shall be free of any accumulation of refuse and debris.
       •Floors, ceilings, and walls shall be structurally sound and block water or dampness.
       •All electrical outlets and light switches shall have secured plate covers installed.
       •All interior steps shall be equipped with lighting.
       •Each bedroom shall have at least one (1) working window.
       •All toilets shall be in operable condition and connected to water and sewer lines. Any toilet that is removed must be sealed property to prevent rodents and/or sewer gasses from escaping into the unit.
       •All bathroom and kitchen sinks shall have working hot and cold water.
       •The rental unit shall have an operable heating system.
       •The rental unit shall have an operable electrical system with no exposed live parts.
       •Operable smoke detectors with live batteries shall be present on each floor of each individual unit.
       •Any common area washer or dryer units must be vented on the outside of the structure.
       •Multi-unit buildings must have a fire extinguisher on each floor’s common area.
       •Any basement level unit needs two acceptable means of egress.