NORTH COLLINS, N.Y. — In North Collins, there’s a growing battle between landlords and the village board.
The two sides clashed at a packed village board meeting Tuesday night where landlords aired their complaints about a new rental code.
The code would require landlords to apply for a $100 annual rental permit and allow an inspector to search their property.
“You’re putting this burden on a handful of people who, 99% of them, are probably very good landlords,” one resident said in the meeting.
Village of North Collins Mayor Vincent George said he’s received calls from tenants frequently complaining about electricity, water, or other issues in the home. However, in the current situation, the village cannot do anything to help them.
He said this new code is an effort to keep tenants safe.
But landlords like Kimberly Bayerl feel it’s an invasion of privacy.
“I don’t care about my rights so much as my tenants,” she said. “They’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, they can come in here? I don’t want them in my apartment.’ You have rights not to let somebody in your home. These are just basic rights by New York State.”
She and many other landlords felt a decision was made on these rights without allowing both sides to weigh in.
“You just ran this down our throats,” one resident said. “Nobody was here and it was passed and I know you discussed it among yourself but when you're changing laws, and taxes, the public should be aware of it.”
However, at the end of the meeting, the board was persuaded to consider waving the white flag.
“I think the village board will revisit this law,” a village board member said. “I'm confident they will. And they'll hold another public hearing. And you'll all be invited to be there.”
The village board said they will not enforce the new code until the next meeting happens and the matter is discussed further.