(A) Registration form. The Planning Director shall prepare a form for an owner of a rental unit to complete (“registration form”). The registration form shall require information including, but not be limited to: name of owner, address of rental unit, mailing address for owner or owner’s representative, e-mail address, phone number, number of units that owner rents, and verification that the landlord will update any and all information within 30 days of any change. The Planning Director may amend the registration form from time to time as appropriate and/or necessary.
(B) Annual registration and fee. An owner of rental unit in the city shall complete a registration form and pay an annual $5 registration fee (“registration fee”) for each parcel of real property on which a rental unit is located. The registration form and the registration fee shall be submitted to the City Planning Director. The registration fee shall be due by January 31 of each year.
(C) Rental unit community exception. Notwithstanding the provisions of division (B) of this section, an owner of a rental unit community will only be obligated to complete one registration form and to submit a single registration fee per each rental unit community.
(D) Obligation to update information. The owner of a rental unit will be required to update its registration form within 30 days of any change in address, change in ownership, or any other material changes thereto. Failure to do so will result in a violation of this chapter.
(E) Initial registration. All current owners shall submit an initial registration form and a registration fee for any and all existing rental units by January 31, 2017. Thereafter, any owner shall have 30 days from obtaining ownership in a rental unit and/or leasing a rental unit to register that rental unit with the city and to submit the registration fee.
(F) Homestead exemption. The owner of a rental unit will be required to verify, in writing, that they are in compliance with Indiana laws regarding homestead property tax deductions. This shall include written verification that a homestead property tax deduction is not being claimed on the property while in use as a rental unit. This verification shall be required during initial registration and at each annual registration. Failure to comply with this section shall be considered a violation of this chapter.
(G) Rental Registration and Inspection Fund. The City Council hereby establishes a special fund which shall be known as the “Rental Registration and Inspection Fund” dedicated solely to reimbursing the costs actually incurred by the city relating to the registration and inspection of rental units as provided in this chapter. All registration fees required hereunder shall be deposited in that special fund.
(Ord. 34-2016, passed 12-12-16)