Ray offers second review of proposed rental regulations
New regulations would require addition of two full-time health inspectors
BY MARY LANCASTER
At tonight's selectmen's meeting Health Inspector Richard Ray will review his outline for new regulations to protect the renting public's health and safety. The proposed regulations only apply to long-term rentals occupied for more than 31 days and exempt daily and weekly vacation homes.

Richard Ray

Ray presented his first overview to the selectmen about a month ago, explaining that his draft arose out of continued concern about overcrowded rental units, units with inadequate egress, heat or smoke detectors and units infested by rodents or insects.

The proposal includes the need for landlords to register with the Nantucket Health Department and obtain a certificate which will indicate the number of occupants allowed in each unit. The number would be determined after the property is inspected for its size, compliance with two means of egress, proper storm windows and screens and other points including sanitary facilities.

According to Ray's presentation for tonight, if passed, the regulations will require addition of two full-time health inspectors and a minimum of one additional vehicle, greater office space at the health department and possibly an increase in building department staffing because the building and fire departments would assist in enforcing the regulations.

His guess, without a figure for the cost of more office space, is an initial outlay of $158,000, though Ray anticipates that eventually the program will be self-funded and may return revenue to the town.

The presentation cites potential drawbacks to the plan as exacerbating the availability of code compliant rental housing, causing landlords to raise rents and an increase in costs to rental property owners who must make repairs or provide new equipment to become licensed.

Further, considering that there are approximately 1,500 or more longterm rentals on the island Ray estimates that it could take up to five years to license the total.

The property owner or his agent will be required to maintain a record available to the town if requested that lists the names of lessees and dates of occupancy. A registration fee, which Ray suggests at $100 or $150, would be imposed annually with renewal of the certificate.

The rental permit is subject to revocation or suspension if a landlord is found unfit to hold the license after an inspection and public hearing before the Board of Health. Persons found in violation of the regulations would be subject to a fine not exceeding $200 for each day a violation continues. The penalty schedule calls for a $50 fine or warning for a first offense; a $150 fine for a second offense; and $200 for third and subsequent offenses.

Ray's proposed timeline to initiate the new regulations starts in January with explanatory television segments, then public forums in April, meetings with rental agents in July, more public forums in October, a public hearing in February 2008, adoption of the regulations in April 2008 and their implementation that July.

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