There are responsible landlords out there too.  Please don't lump us all together. I am someone who submitted all applications with fees eons ago, got a (costly) survey on one property to comply with the then required occupancy permit, and still have not received a single rental permit to hang in a single property.  The city has so far kept all the fees (I think I paid $15 per property, whatever it was at the time) and the application fee for the occupancy permit, which I didn't end up pursuing.  I know the city got all my paperwork and fees and that they were all complete bc they have at least told me as such when I have called.  The last time I called was many months ago and was assured the permits should be sent to me soon. I'd like something to show for my efforts and $. . . . maybe the city needs to get the bare minimals actually functioning and then consider strengthening things. Jessica Miller, Chislett St. --- On Fri, 7/31/09, Michael Eversmeyer <m.eversmeyer@verizon.net> wrote: From: Michael Eversmeyer <m.eversmeyer@verizon.net> Subject: [Highland Park] Fwd: Rental Registration Ordinance Water Down To: D.Hance@perkinseastman.com, neighborhood@highlandparkpa.com Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 9:50 AM Rental Registration Ordinance Water Down Michael Eversmeyer Michael Eversmeyer Architect, PC 1124 N. Euclid Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-443-4727 Jul 31, 2009 12:45:16 PM, rob@pfaffmann.com wrote: Dear Community Design & Planning Partners, As you may have read in the Post-Gazette, the City is engaged in a negotiation with landlord and real estate interests regarding a reduction in the requirements for Landlord Rental Registration program the City of Pittsburgh passed in 2008.  The article “City, landlords to iron out registration ordinance” buried in the paper’s local section should have been front page news. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09212/987650-53.stm The discussion as framed by the Post-Gazette is gutting an importance new ordinance (one of the best new initiatives of Mayor Ravenstahl, by the way) that would require landlords register properties, identify tenants, and maintain an occupancy permit. The Law department, without and citizen input or notice has decided to let the Landlords have a severely watered down version that reduces the fee to $5, not require tenant names and most importantly, require an occupancy permit! This effectively kills the purpose and impact of the law. As a professional and citizen fighting everyday to maintain our neighborhoods health and vitality, this puts the City at a competitive disadvantage as well as potential unintended detrimental impacts to City residents and neighborhoods.  Whatever the outcome of this case with the Court of Common Pleas, the implications for our neighborhoods and quality of life in the City is sure to be long term.   We are asking that you make your opinion known to the Mayor's Office, your City Councilmember, and the media.   What does a continuation of the status quo mean to your home, your neighbors, your block, etc.?    Please pass this on to those you think could help. Thank you, Rob Pfaffmann, AIA Lisa Haabestad 604 Filbert Street Pittsburgh ps: the landlords in our neighborhood have told us they are very happy with the new version. Just on our block alone we have two confirmed landlords with no occupancy permits or other violations of occupancy, effectively running the houses as rooming houses for students, drug dealers, parolees etc. Sound like this would be in a struggling defenseless neighborhood or Oakland? No, it is Shadyside! -----Inline Attachment Follows----- -- <http://lists.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>