Proposed legislation in Syracuse which would require periodic interior inspections of rental properties, either by consent or warrant, every two years, is being put on hold. The Syracuse Common Council is reviewing information it has received from lawyers representing the Syracuse Property Owners Association.
Among the lawyers’ requests is that the Council express what limits there are to inspections and how the state’s fire protection codes would apply. Councilor Khalid Bey said some of the requests are realistic while others are misinformed.
“There are some things that we’re going to give consideration to, emphasis on consideration," Bey said. "It does not mean that we will change anything. But if we deem anything practical, we’ll give it a real look.”
Bey said concerns about testing for lead and unwarranted searches do not apply to the legislation.
“This idea that we’re attempting to do something without due process is an absolute fallacy," Bey said. "To try to make this entire discussion about lead was their intent so I thought it was comical to say that lead should not be a part of the discussion when they're the ones that brought it up. I'm not going to allow that kind of disturbance to prevent the people from getting some kind of service."
Bey said a request from the lawyers that landlords be alerted if a warrant is issued is impractical because the police do not do that.
