The City of Surprise is considering an ordinance that will have a significant negative impact on the rental housing industry. We need our members to call the City Mayor and all the Council Members to let them know you are opposed to the rental housing ordinance. Council is scheduled to hear the ordinance on November 12th we encourage you to attend to voice your opposition – November 12th 6:00 pm City Council Chambers 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374. Below are the issues and talking points as well as contact information.
- Surprise is proposing a rental interior inspection program. Though they call it a “voluntary plan” they will charge a higher business license fee if you do not participate
- Surprise is proposing a nuisance property definition that includes a property that has 4 or more City ordinance violations in a six-month period. This is any city ordinance violation and can be as minor as overgrown weeds, a broken slat in a fence, overgrown grass and a sign code violation (i.e. a banner up without a permit). Do these types of violations make a property a nuisance? A nuisance violation means that the City will suspend or revoke the properties business license and the home or apartment community will not be able to rent.
- Surprise is proposing making the landlord responsible for the actions of residents. The property will be considered a nuisance if a resident commits two or more crimes under the State of Arizona or under the Federal Government”. Keep in mind this is any crime, in any city or state no matter how minor. How can a landlord be responsible for the actions of our residents off of the property? Again a violation will result in suspension or revocation of the business license.
