N B A C O R N - State of Disrepair

Financial penalties are in place for the city to use as a stick to get compliance from a landlord, and the city has the power to go into buildings and do needed repairs and charge the landlord. [...] While the RTT could force landlords to compensate tenants for lack of repairs, forcing the landlord to actually do the repair is not something the RTT has the power to do. [...] Complaint-based property standard enforcement is based on the assumption that tenants understand the property standard laws, know how to file complaints, have the time and resources to file complaints, and have landlords that will not retaliate against a tenant for making the complaints. [...] Tenants are unaware of the laws and system, lack the time needed to go through the processes of making complaints, and are generally scared that landlords will retaliate if they do make complaints. [...] Inspectors have power to access common areas in the buildings (hallway, lobby, stairwell), the mechanical areas (elevator and boiler rooms), as well as the exterior of the building (including the roof) to ensure the building is in compliance.