WM: I do have problems with this part of the ordinance. In my neighborhood there are several houses with five and six bedrooms. It seems to me that the code should follow the number of bedrooms in a unit. It also only applies to unrelated individuals, not to families. So, a family of ten can live in a three room apartment, even though they're stuffed in like sardines?There were some claims that 20 residents are living in one housing unit and the landlord is making a bundle. It is violation of ordinance 546.50 to have more than 4 unrelated individuals living in a single housing unit. If such a thing exists, please call the inspectors. I believe this violation is aggressively investigated.
WM: The most egregious violaters of this ordinance that I've observed have been among gang bangers. The house next door to my old residence was a triplex. At one point it had 37 people in residence. When asked, the residents all claimed to be cousins--and they were for the most part. It still created a problem for all and sundry.My understanding is that few over-occupancy violations are turned in. I am not sure if this is because a) it doesn't happen often, b) the residents/neighbors don't know the law or c) the residents don't mind the crowded conditions as it keeps their housing costs down.
One writer said that occupants fear evictions/terminations and refuse toWM: I'm one of the people who said that. It's still true to a certain degree since people do not keep
turn in their landlords for code violations. A few years ago, these claims
were believable. But, the world has changed and tenants now have the upper
hand.
up with the housing market as a rule when their lives are busy elsewhere. Their other fear is that rents will rise if they complain or that the building owner or Inspections will peep their nefarious goings on.
I don't know what circumstances will allow Inspections to come into a house without the invitation of the renters or owner, but I believe there are some restrictions.
WizardMarks, Central
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