High Point Inspections

Don’t know if you read the HP Enterprise this morning, but the City will be voting on whether or not to add a text amendment to their Inspections Regulations.  Currently, if a home does not meet code, and the owners do not make the repairs, the City will pay to move the tenant from the home.  The text amendment will require that the owner absorb the costs of relocating the tenant.  If the owner does not pay, then a lien will be put against the property. 

I can see where the City is going with this, they are just trying to re-coop their losses.  That’s admirable, I suppose.  But why, you ask, does the City pay to move people anyway?  Well that is an argument for another day.  Today’s problem is this:  What if you have a property that a tenant has completely destroyed?  The tenant wants to move, so they call Inspections.  When this new policy takes effect, not only will the owner have to repair the house (or face fines), but now they will also have to pay to move the person who destroyed their house in the first place. 

There are a lot of less-than-reputable property owners in High Point.  People who will not make repairs to their investments.  Fine, by all means, help the folks living in these homes.  But on the other hand, there are plenty of less-than-reputable tenants in High Point too.  People who know how to play the system. Why are we going to give them one more tool in their arsenal? 

If you have a problem with this proposed text amendment, I urge you to attend tonight’s High Point City Council meeting at 5:30.  I would also encourage you to contact your Councilperson by following this link:  http://www.high-point.net/council/members.cfm

Thanks, everyone.  See you tonight.