"Oh my God, no way!"That's how a Bethlehem housing inspector responded when I asked her yesterday whether the Christmas City ever conducts systematic inspections of homeowner-occupied properties.
"Sales, rentals or complaints."
These are the only three ways a a owner-occupied home will undergo inspection in Bethlehem. That's the deal in Easton, too, according to officials there. Of the Lehigh Valley's three cities, only Allentown is now conducting systematic inspections of homeowner-occupied properties.
Twenty-three homes, all downtown, have been chosen for this treat. In addition to housing inspectors, "financial advisers" will pick up peasants by their ankles, shaking every piece of loose change they can for the
Those of you living on the east side, south side or west end, don't fret. You'll be spared . . . at least 'till the election's over.
Allentown already has a landlord inspection ordinance and a recently enacted pre-sale inspection ordinance. This is just overkill.
19 comments:
"This is just overkill."
No, it's discriminatory.
BC
its a power I had never heard any municipality in pa exercise until yesterday.
allentown has a habit of finding and justifying additional ordinances from other communities; bloomsburg has rental inspections ! bethlehem has point of sale! we never replace, we just add, so the bureaucracy keeps growing.
For the past 24 hours I've been troubled by these reports. Today,
it's only worse. What is going on? Please will a wonderful attorney volunteer his/her services to help this dear lady?
That she is being forced to undergo this inspection and lose a day's wage is more troubling that some might realize. Working mothers always worry "what if." So now, this mom has to take a day off, and for right now her boss may say, "okay" but what happens when her child gets sick or she gets sick or the car breaks down and she needs more days off. All of a sudden, that kind boss gets a tiny bit irritated and seeds start to fester. Someone yesterday wrote this is a result of Weed & Seed. I just can't believe that. Maybe you could contact Allentown's Weed & Seed executive director. I've met her, this doesn't sound like her at all.
According to the letter sent to the homeowner, this systematic inspection falls under A-town's Weed and Seed Revitalization Program.
Rumor only. Someone said Cityline is one of the contractors. Maybe you could find out.
What is the ethical difference between a inspection based on a complaint or one being systematic?
Let me answer, none.
A complaint-motivated inspection can be inspired by real concerns about the building, conditions observed from the outside.
A systematic inspection is completely different. There is no complaint, but the city just barges in, wanted or not.
Given A-town's history, there is little doubt in my mind that the argument could be made that, as practiced, it violates the equal protection clause. The ordinance has never been enforced beyond the downtown area.
Big difference.
For the record, technically, Downtown does not extend north of Linden St. Center City, or more specifically Old Fairgrounds would be more accurate.
Thank you for that clarification. To my outsider eyes, the 300 block of Tilghman St is still downtown. It is certainly NOT south side, east side or west end. But I appreciate your insight, which obviously reveals a deep knowledge of A-town.
Anon 10:47 wrote: "Maybe you could contact Allentown's Weed & Seed executive director. I've met her, this doesn't sound like her at all."
Government excess in this country is far more likely to come from a bureaucrat claiming to do "good" and "help people" than from someone purposely trying do do harm.
Beware of more of the "help" that is being proposed in Washington.
http://www.allentownweedandseed.org/
Very interesting reading.
The Banker
OMG! They had a page set up for systematic inspections and it's been deleted!
And there's this!
http://www.allentownweedandseed.org/index.cfm?organization_id=34§ion_id=498
Cityline is always one of the contractors.
His laregesse knows no party bounds - Karen Beyer's office is in one of their buildings.
I received the inspection letter. The inspections are being done under the disguise of the Weed and Seed program area. The inspections are not voluntary. They will be enforced through court if necessary. The program is intended to correct code violations. I could find code violations in a brand new home. If they made this program voluntary i would back it 100 %. They have funds available for various loan programs.The request for income statements etc. is only necessary if you are asking for the loan money.They are NOT required for the inspection. If they find violations they will give you up to one year to correct them.Now for the clincher is they will give you a list of contractors who will give you estimates.I would bet they all have contributed to campaign accopunts but I have not seen the full list yet to investigate it. There are two programs being offered. Up to $5000 for facade improvements which includes anything needed on the front ot the property. A second program is up to $15000 for correcting code violations and improvements to the interior. The loans would be forgiven over a 5 year period if the home owner stays there. It is reduced by 20% every year of occupation by the homeowner.They did a similar inspection on my property in the early 1990's.They get you for everything.A crack in a window or wall or foundation is a violation. You must have a light at the top of the steps controlled from the first and second floor. Ground fault outlets in all kitchens and bathrooms.If you have a tear in the vinyl flooring or missing tile it is a violation. There are many houses with half baths that just have a toilet on the first floor. Code requires a sink with hot and cold water in the same room. Many more things they can cite you on. Make the program VOLUNTARY .
Larry,
Wow! Thanks so much. I will post your comment as part of a separate blog next week.
Cityline making repairs that are supposed to meet code. What a joke. We've been begging the Morning Call and Salisbury Township to investigate Cityline's dealings with a recently departed Salisbury Township official in relation to code violations and payoff after a fire on our property. If Cityline shows up to repair homes not meeting code, my advice is to hire someone to watch them.
I suspect but do not knopw that Cityline is one of the contractors being recommended. I shall find out.
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