Amherst seeks to curb neglect of rental housing

The town of Amherst, home to the University of Massachusetts and two smaller colleges, in January will introduce a program designed to curtail neglect of rental properties, many of which provide housing for students.

The bylaw, which Town Meeting approved earlier this year, was prompted by an increase in the number of rental properties that have been acquired by property management companies, according to Amherst Building Commissioner Robert Morra. Over a recent 12-month period, the town’s inspectional services department received roughly 200 health, safety and zoning complaints involving rental properties, he said.

The new bylaw requires the owners or managers of rental units to pay a $100 annual fee. Revenue from the fee will allow the town to employ a manager and an administrative assistant to oversee the program.

Previously, Morra said, “There was essentially zero response to the problem. We didn’t have the staff.”

Morra described the program as “complaint-based,” meaning that residents of rental properties will be encouraged to report code violations by filing complaints on the town’s website. The town held a series of workshops this fall for tenants and rental property owners that included sessions on how residents can file and track such complaints.

Obtaining a rental permit requires that the person responsible for the property have a parking plan in place. In addition, the owner or agent must complete an online “self-certification checklist” confirming that each property being managed complies with state and local health, safety, fire, noise and nuisance regulations.