Shaker Heights enhances apartment code enforcement strategies

City officials in Shaker Heights, Ohio, are considering a more proactive approach to enforcing building codes in local apartments. This includes possible civil penalties for landlords, especially for repeat offenders. There are 104 apartment buildings in the city, housing over 5,600 units. Recently, 132 of these units faced issues with inadequate heating. In one case, tenants had to leave their homes for more than two months after a boiler failure in January. While a new boiler arrived quickly, additional problems delayed repairs. Most of the apartments experiencing heating issues are owned by Pero Real Estate, which has faced similar problems in other buildings. Councilwoman Nancy Moore expressed concerns about the ongoing cycle of boiler failures and inspections that do not resolve the situation. Officials are exploring increased inspections and other methods to address the challenges posed by aging buildings. Shaker Heights' Chief Administrative Officer Jeri Chaikin mentioned the need for a different approach to tackle the issue. The city is also considering civil penalties, similar to those recently imposed in Cleveland, to discourage repeat violations. Krewson, the Building and Housing Director, emphasized the importance of communication between the city and property managers. He expressed frustration with the high turnover among property management staff, which can hinder effective communication and repairs. Many tenants also experience this inconsistency, leading to repeated issues. The city council is leaning towards more proactive enforcement and increased inspections, aiming to prioritize landlords with a history of complaints. Inspections under the city's rental license program occur every three years, but officials are contemplating more frequent checks for problem properties. They aim to catch up on inspections this year and consider increasing penalties for non-compliance.