Back in May, our team shared about the changes coming to Gainesville’s Rental Ordinance, that time is here, and you can help. 

 Whether you work with a property manager (PM) or manage your own property/s you need to be aware of a new ordinance that requires property owners, or their managers to pay for a landlord permit for every property that is rented within the city limits of Gainesville, Fl.  

The attorneys leading this effort have put together the below statement 

 “It is our belief that this is an overreach of governments authority. Not because the City of Gainesville (COG) is demanding unreasonable safety issues, but because they are attempting to control efficiency. It’s one thing for the COG to keep up-to-date requirements for safety issues like fire extinguishers and smoke alarms”.  

 “It’s another thing altogether for the COG to require a certain level of efficiency for a property. Whether it’s insulation in the attic, which is now the case, to something entirely different and costly in the future. Like HVAC units, double pane windows, new water heaters, or a specific type of roof that may be more efficient. This is an extremely important issue because the ordinance not only affects rental properties. It is for any property that rents out any part of the property. This would apply to condominiums, quadruplexes, duplexes, triplexes, and single-family houses, any of these properties that rent all, or a portion of the space is required to buy a landlord permit and be subject to the efficiency portion of the ordinance. This being the case: Jeff Childers, an attorney is going to represent any and all property owners who object to this ordinance in suing the COG. If you wish to join this lawsuit it will help defer the cost greatly.  

There were 16,000 landlord permits issued this month at a cost of $122.00 each. This means that there are approximately 3-5K landowners affected by this ordinance. If we could manage to get only 200 landowners to participate in the suit the cost would be substantially lower than might be expected. This is less than 4% of the landlords. The estimated cost is approximately $75-$100,000. This would be approximately $400-$500 each. It will be less the more that are willing to participate. This all being said we are not asking for $400-$500 each. We are asking for whatever you can contribute. You don’t have to be part of the lawsuit. You can even contribute anonymously. However, the more people that are part of the actual suit the better our chances are for a positive outcome. Government is supposed to be for the people. This ordinance doesn’t help anyone except the COG. Tenants will pay increased rent because any of these increases required by the COG will be passed along to the tenants.  

 Lastly, it’s important to know that the Alachua County Commission is considering a similar ordinance for the entire county. In fact, it’s been tabled at the last two county commission meetings so that the county commissioners can observe the outcome for the ordinance here within the city limits of Gainesville. So, if you think this doesn’t affect you because your property is in the county, please reconsider.  

 We need all the help we can get. Click below to donate today:  

https://www.givesendgo.com/Gainesvillelandlordpermit 

 
Psssssttttt!!!
Mention this Newsletter and receive the first two months property management services for free with nothing due at sign up!