Homeowner fees considered tonight

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NOTE: The proposed ordinance revising fees for Certificates of Compliance, originally scheduled for 12/20/2006 action, will NOT be presented this evening.

City Council was previously scheduled take up the matter of proposed increases to the fee for Certificate of Compliance inspections tonight. The item has been postponed yet again.

Certificates of Compliance are required when homeowners sell their property. (They are also required when landlords turn over a rental unit.)

PT recalls vividly when the current scheme was enacted. He was active as a real estate professional, and one of the concerns at the time was that Plainfield's housing stock was being undermined by illegal conversions to multi-families and rooming-houses.

Tightening up on inspections was considered a necessary step to preserve the safety and quality of life for ALL Plainfielders.

It has had a decidedly beneficial impact, though many homeowners have found enforcement to be onerous.

There is a great deal of grumblling that inspectors are arbitrary and picayune in their enforcement, and even suggestions that some inspectors are susceptible to bribes -- varying from furnishings and appliances to outright cash.

The question of equitable enforcement is certainly a matter that needs to be looked into.

However, the measure proposed by the Administration to the Council will be considering RAISING THE FEES for these inspections from $50 to $175. That is a 350% increase, as PT pointed out in a previous post ("Never give a sucker an even break").

And that, to PT, seems excessive.

Certainly, the time has come to consider an adjustment in the fees as the cost of performing these inspections has no doubt risen since their inception. However, no one can justify an increase of 350% -- based SOLELY ON THE COST OF RUNNING THE PROGRAM.

Which is THE ONLY BASIS on which to make an argument for increasing the fees, since the state does not allow municipalities to set fees willy-nilly to raise income for the general fund.

Realtor® representatives have been actively lobbying the Administration, and PT has heard rumors that the proposed increase may be moderated.

If you are selling or may ever consider selling your home, you have an interest in what happens in regard to these inspection fees.

City Council meets tonight at 8 PM in the Council Chambers / Courtroom, East 4th Street and Watchung Avenue, where Construction Fees -- NOT Certificate of Compliance Fees -- will be acted upon.

-- Dan Damon

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