SCHENECTADY New apartment tax on McCarthy agenda Stratton opposes idea of $200 for more than two units BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com.
The Schenectady City Council will consider a special tax on landlords of larger apartment buildings in exchange for free apartment inspections. Councilman Gary McCarthy proposed Tuesday that the city add a $200 fee to the tax bills of all apartment buildings with more than two units. About 5,000 properties in the city would be subject to the new tax. It would be enough to pay for four inspections. If landlords needed more — they must get one every time a new tenant moves in — they would get those for free. “So we no longer worry about collecting a rental [inspection] certificate fee,” McCarthy said. “There’s no disincentive for someone to come down and get a rental inspection. Maybe we give them a discount on building permits too. Hopefully, we’ll increase the value of some property and force out the borderline people who aren’t good business people.” Mayor Brian U. Stratton questioned the effectiveness of the idea, arguing that the landlords McCarthy wants to “force out” won’t pay the tax. “The people who don’t care, not only don’t care about keeping the property up to code, they don’t care about paying their taxes on time,” Stratton said. McCarthy answered: “How do you send the message, ‘We don’t want them here.’” The rule might also encourage landlords to stop cutting up twofamily buildings and restore some to their original two-family state, McCarthy said. “The two-family house is not the problem. The problem is the twofamily house that has been cut into four or six,” McCarthy said. Stratton objected, saying, “What about the people who are keeping it up to code and are trustworthy?” He got only a shrug in response from McCarthy. Council members seemed intrigued by the idea and agreed to discuss it seriously at their next committee meeting, on March 2 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall. Landlords may come to that meeting to oppose the tax. Pat Zollinger, the leader of the semi-defunct Schenectady Rental Property Owners Association, said she plans to vehemently object to it. “It’s nonsense. I really think they’re just looking for money,” she said. “If they have long-term tenants — you only need to do the inspection when you change tenants. I’ve had tenants for like six years. They’re charging $200 a year for six years and you’re not even using the service.” She said city officials should hold a landlord meeting if they genuinely want to improve the living conditions in large apartment buildings. “You call and they do not have any clarity — you get 10 different answers from five different people and you don’t know what to do,” she said. “You call and ask a question and you get the runaround.”
although those 'penthouses' downtown should turn out a GREAT PROFIT......
Oh, are you referring to the ones that they said they would rent out for $2500/month? Are they occupied yet?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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