1367.02 NOTICE TO TENANTS.

   It shall be the responsibility of the owner, operator or agent of any residential rental unit to give notice of his housing license with the City to tenants by one of the following authorized methods prior to the commencement of a rental term with such tenant:

   (a)   Display the license in a conspicuous place within the common ways of the residential rental unit.   

   (b)   Give the following written notice to the tenants:

   "This residential rental unit is licensed by the City of Kent for the period of ________to    _________ for not more than _________ occupants. Be advised that both landlords and tenants have certain responsibilities to each other as are set forth in the Environmental Health and Housing Maintenance Code of the City of Kent, Ordinance 1979-219 (Title 7), Planning and Zoning Code (Part 11), Building Code (Part 13) and Property Maintenance, Housing and Enforcement Code (Part 14) or any other applicable section of the Kent Codified Ordinances. Copies of this Housing Code can be obtained at the Kent Health and Community Development Departments. The owner, operator or agent of any residential rental unit shall give a minimum of 24-hour notice to tenants prior to entering the property for inspections, repairs, or maintenance."

   (c)   The blanks described in subsection 1367.02(b) must be filled in, in ink, reflecting the accurate dates and number of residents.

      (Ord. 2016-40. Passed 4-20-16.)

1367.03 REVOLVING HOUSING FUND.

   There is hereby created a Revolving Housing Fund for the purpose of supporting the cost of repairs, corrective action or demolition made by the Health Commissioner pursuant to Section 1373.01 and other supportive costs associated with the enforcement of this Housing Code. Into this Fund, the following shall be paid:

   (a)   All civil penalties collected for violations of this Housing Code applicable to multifamily dwelling and enforced by the Health Department, pursuant to Section 1371.02.

   (b)   All judgments collected in actions to recover the cost of repairs and other corrective action or demolition of multifamily dwelling, pursuant to Section 1373.01 (b).

   (c)   Such other revenues the City may, from time to time authorize be paid into this Fund. (Ord. 2016-40. Passed 4-20-16.)

1367.04 ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RENTAL LICENSING REVENUE LINE.

   There is hereby established a separate and permanent revenue line in the General Fund knows as the "Community Development Rental Licensing" revenue line. The Director of Budget and Finance is hereby authorized and directed to take such action and to make such records as may be necessary to establish the "Community Development Rental Licensing" revenue line and thereafter to show its existence and condition at all times upon the financial records of the City. Into said revenue line shall be paid:

   (a)   All civil penalties collected for violations of the Environmental Health and Housing Maintenance Code (Title 7), Planning and Zoning Code (Part 11), Building Code (Part 13) and Property Maintenance, Housing and Enforcement Code (Part 14) applicable to leased dwellings, not classified as multifamily dwelling, and enforced by the Community Development Department, pursuant to Section 1371.02.

   (b)   All judgments collected in actions to recover the cost of repairs and other corrective action or demolition of leased dwellings not classified as multifamily and enforced by the Community Development Department, pursuant to Section 1373.01  (b).

   (c)   Such other revenues the City may, from time to time authorize be paid into this General Fund revenue line.

      (Ord. 2016-40. Passed 4-20-16.)

1367.05 LOCAL REQUIREMENT.

   In order to ensure that there is a local agent to contact to respond to property needs, concerns, or repairs in a timely manner, all owners of residential rental property in the City of Kent must designate an individual or property manager to be contacted by the City of Kent in case of an ordinance violation or inspection.

   (a)   The individual or property manager designated as a local agent for a residential rental unit must live or have their principal place of business in Portage County, Ohio or a county contiguous to Portage County, Ohio.

   (b)   The individual or property manager designated as a local agent for a residential rental unit must provide the    City of Kent with a phone number, physical address, and e-mail address. (Ord. 2016-40. Passed 4-20-16.)

1367.98 VIOLATION OF "NOTICE TO TENANTS" REQUIREMENT IN 1367.02.

   Any owner or operator of a residential rental unit in violation of the standards set forth in Section 1367.02 shall be subject to a civil offense in accordance with Section 501.13 of the Codified Ordinances, including the right to notice, the right to answer a charge, the right to appeal, the amount of the fine, and the City's right to have the fine increase, but NOT including the right to a warning under Section 501.13(c) of the Codified Ordinances. Issuing a Notice of Civil Offense does not limit the City of Kent from pursuing any other additional legal remedies not prohibited by ordinance, including but not limited to seeking an administrative warrant and injunctive relief. (Ord. 2024-097. Passed 9-18-24.)