The town is strengthening its ordinance regarding rental properties.
The Munster Town Council passed an ordinance to that effect Feb.6, which brings the town’s code in line with an Indiana statute adopted in 2014.
Councilman John Reed explained that the ordinance changes the term of rental permits from three years to being valid until there is a change in ownership of the property.
“It also strengthens the ability of the Community Development Department to conduct complaint-driven inspections and codifies the occupancy standards set for in the Indiana Residential Code,” he said.
Among the changes rental property owners in Munster can expect is the ability for any individual to submit a written complaint about a rental property to the town’s building inspector, thereby triggering an inspection on that property. In addition, the ordinance forbids retaliatory action by a landlord if a tenant submits a complaint.
The ordinance requires the property owner to pay a $50 inspection fee if the complaint-driven inspection reveals any violations, including not having a valid rental permit for the property. Transfer or a rental property to a new owner without reapplying for a rental permit is prohibited, and the ordinance also establishes occupancy standards as outlined in state code.
Town Manager Dustin Anderson noted that the town plans to improve the way unregistered rental units are identified for inspection — the result of ongoing conversations between the Community Development Department, Fire Department, water billing and maintenance staff, and the Town Manager’s office.
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Adding further protections for Munster residents, the town council also passed an ordinance establishing the Household Flood Protection Program, which offers eligible homeowners a 50/50 match, up to $1,000, from the Hammond Sanitary District for installation of a flood prevention device.
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.