[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Radnor as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-18-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-25; 6-20-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-12]
It is the purpose of this article to protect and promote the
public health, safety and welfare of residents within the Township
and to establish the obligations of both owners and tenants of rental
units within the Township to improve the maintenance and quality of
rental units by compliance with applicable codes and ordinances of
the Township, to preserve the residential quality of neighborhoods,
to require the licensing of rental units and to establish procedures
for the issuance of formal warnings, and the nonrenewal and suspension
of such license.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any code or ordinance adopted, enacted and/or in effect in
and for the Township of Radnor concerning fitness for habitation or
the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use or appearance
of any premises of any dwelling unit under the provisions of this
article. Included herein are the following which are in effect as
of the date of this article: National Fire Code; International Plumbing
Code; International Mechanical Code; Uniform Construction Code; International
Property Maintenance Code; National Electrical Code; and any duly
enacted amendment thereto.
The Director of Community Development charged with the administration
and enforcement of this article or his duly authorized representative.
Space which is not a part of the rental unit and which is
shared with other occupants of a rental unit, whether they reside
in the rental unit or not. Common areas shall be considered part of
the premises for the purpose of this article.
The Department of Community Development of the Township of
Radnor.
Any form of conduct, action, incident or behavior perpetrated,
caused or permitted by any tenant of a rental unit or guest that is
so loud, untimely (as to hour of the day), offensive, riotous or that
otherwise disturbs other persons of reasonable sensibility in their
peaceful enjoyment of their premises such as that a complaint is made
to the police or Code Official. It is not necessary that such conduct,
action, incident or behavior constitute a criminal offense, nor that
criminal charges be filed against any person in order for a person
to have perpetrated, caused or permitted the commission of disruptive
conduct as herein defined; provided, however, that no disruptive conduct
shall be deemed to have occurred unless the Code Official or police
have investigated and determined that such did occur.
A written report of disruptive conduct on a form prescribed
by the Code Official or the Superintendent of Police.
A college, university, or other educational building containing
living and/or sleeping accommodations for students.
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities,
including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking
and sanitation.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITA building on a lot designed and occupied exclusively as a residence for one family.
TWO-FAMILY DWELLING UNITA building on a lot designed and occupied exclusively as a residence for two families living independently of one another.
MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNIT or APARTMENT HOUSEA building on a lot designed and used exclusively as a residence for three or more families living independently of one another.
ROOMING HOUSEA building which has a dwelling unit occupied by the owner and which has accommodations for not more than three roomers.
An annual license issued by the Department to the owner of
a rental unit under this article which is required for the lawful
rental and occupancy of dwelling units.
A college, university, or other educational building containing
a rental unit for living and/or sleeping accommodations for students,
faculty or guest.
Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a
legal or equitable interest in the property, including the guardian
of the estate of any person or the executor or administrator of the
estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property
by the court.
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including any structures thereon.
The Police Department of Radnor Township.
A written agreement between the owner and tenant, embodying
the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a rental
unit.
The Rental Housing Board of Appeals as appointed by the Board
of Commissioners.
A dwelling unit occupied under a rental agreement and containing
living and/or sleeping accommodations with or without cooking and/or
individual sanitary facilities, including dormitory rooms.
The Township Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Township
of Radnor.
As defined in the Radnor Township Zoning Ordinance.[1]
The Superintendent of Police of the Township of Radnor or
duly authorized representative.
Any individual who resides in a rental unit governed by this
article with whom a legal relationship with the owner is established
by a written rental agreement or other occupancy agreement.
The Township of Radnor.
A.
It shall be the duty of every owner to keep and maintain all rental
units in compliance with applicable codes and ordinances of the Township,
including the student housing requirements of the Radnor Township
Zoning Ordinance.
B.
Every owner shall exercise due diligence in determining whether a
tenant is or has become, during the period of the lease term, a student
tenant.
C.
Every owner shall be responsible for regulating the proper use and
occupancy of rental units, and for regulating the conduct and activities
of their tenants and guests, which conduct takes place within the
rental unit or on the premises.
D.
This section shall not be construed as diminishing or relieving,
in any way, the responsibility of tenants or their guests for their
conduct or activity; nor shall it be construed as an assignment, transfer
or projection over or onto any owner of any responsibility or liability
which tenants or their guests may have as a result of their conduct
or activity under any private cause of action, civil or criminal enforcement
proceedings; nor shall this section be construed so as to require
an owner to indemnify or defend tenants or their guests when such
action or proceeding is brought against the tenant based upon the
tenant's conduct or activity. Nothing herein is intended to impose
any additional civil/criminal liability imposed by existing law.
E.
This article is not intended to, nor shall its effect be, to limit
any other enforcement remedies which may be available to the Township
against an owner, tenant or guest thereof.
A.
Tenants shall comply with all obligations imposed by this article
and all applicable codes and ordinances of the Township.
B.
A tenant or proposed tenant of a single-family dwelling shall disclose
to the owner whether he or she is a student tenant, as defined in
the Radnor Township Zoning Ordinance.
C.
A tenant of a single-family dwelling shall immediately notify the
owner upon a change in such tenant's status to a student tenant.
D.
No tenant of a single-family dwelling shall permit an individual
who is or would be a student tenant to reside in or sublet the rental
unit unless the student housing provisions of the Radnor Township
Zoning Ordinance have been met.
E.
The tenant shall conduct himself or herself, and require all other
persons, including, but not limited to, guests on the premises within
his or her rental unit with his or her consent, in a manner that is
not disruptive conduct.
F.
The tenant shall, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law or
ordinance, occupy or use his or her rental unit for no other purpose
than a residence.
G.
The tenant shall not engage in, nor tolerate nor permit others on
the premises to engage in, any conduct declared illegal under the
Pennsylvania Crimes Code, or Liquor Code, or Controlled Substance,
Drug and Device Cosmetic Act.
H.
When the police or the Code Official investigate an alleged incident
of disruptive conduct, a report shall be completed upon a determination
that the incident did, in fact, occur and constitutes disruptive conduct
as defined by this article. The information filled in on such report
shall include, if possible, the identity of the alleged perpetrator(s)
and all other obtainable information, including the factual basis
for the disruptive conduct. Where the police make such an investigation,
a copy of the report shall be forwarded to the Code Official. A copy
of the report shall be forwarded to the owner, whether the person
making the investigation is the police or the Code Official.
I.
A violation of any of the above provisions by a tenant may be deemed
a breach of the tenant's rental agreement, subjecting the tenant
to summary eviction by the owner, in accordance with such rental agreement
and other applicable laws.
A.
Upon a determination by the Code Official that a violation of this article did occur, a written notice shall be forwarded to the owner advising him of the location of the property in question, code section violated, statement of the violation, a time limit for corrective action, right of appeal and that failure to correct the violation within the time specified constitutes a violation, with possible sanctions clearly described. Such notice shall be forwarded by certified and regular mail. The Code Official shall also include a statement advising the owner if the violation is subject to disciplinary action as set forth in § 226-8 of this article.
B.
The Code Official may require the owner to submit a written report
setting forth what action has or will be taken to remedy the violation
and what steps will be taken to prevent a reoccurrence of the violation.
C.
The Code Official shall review the report and, if adequate steps
have been taken to address current and future violations, the plan
shall be approved. Failure by the owner to enforce the plan shall
constitute a violation of this article.
A.
All rental agreements shall be in writing. No oral leases or oral
modifications to a lease shall be permitted. There shall be no more
than one rental agreement for each dwelling unit, which shall include
the name, permanent address, telephone number, student tenant status
of each tenant, as well as any additional persons which may be liable
under the agreement, and the duration of said agreement. A copy of
the rental agreement shall be provided to the Township when requested
by the Code Official.
C.
The owner and tenant may include in the rental agreement terms and
conditions not prohibited by this article or other applicable ordinances,
regulations and laws.
D.
Except as otherwise provided by this article, no rental agreement
may provide that the owner or tenant agrees to waive or forego rights
or remedies under this article. A provision prohibited by this subsection
included in the rental agreement is hereby declared unenforceable.
E.
Following the effective date of this article, a summary or full text
of the ordinance and any amendments thereto, shall be attached to
each rental agreement when presented to the tenant for signature.
If a summary or full text of the ordinance has been provided when
the rental agreement was first executed, the summary or ordinance
does not have to be provided upon renewal. Where a rental agreement
has been entered into prior to the effective date of this article,
the owner shall provide all tenants with a summary or ordinance within
45 days following the effective date of this article.
A.
As a prerequisite to entering into any rental agreement permitting
the occupancy of a rental unit, or extending the time period of any
rental agreement, the owner shall be required to file an application
and obtain a license from the Department. The application shall be
on a form provided by the Township.
B.
The owner of a single-family dwelling rental unit shall disclose
on the application the number of student tenants proposed to reside
in the rental unit during the lease term or extension thereof.
C.
As a condition of any license for a single-family dwelling, the owner
shall immediately notify the Township of any change in the number
of student tenants residing in a rental unit.
D.
The Department shall maintain detailed records regarding the residence
location of student tenants within the Township.
E.
Upon the effective date of this article, no license or renewal of
a license shall be granted, nor shall any change in occupancy within
a rental unit be permitted, if such license, renewal of license, or
change in occupancy shall cause the number of student tenants residing
within a one-thousand-foot radius of another student tenant rental
unit to exceed two students; provided, however, that where such rental
unit exists as legal nonconforming use, the owner of that property
shall be entitled to apply for renewal of a license until such time
as the property is not occupied by student tenants for a period in
excess of one year. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply
to rental units located within a multifamily dwelling, apartment house,
dormitory, or on-campus housing.
F.
Upon the effective date of this article, no license permitting the
occupancy of a two-family dwelling unit shall be granted, nor shall
any change in occupancy be permitted, if such license would cause
a student tenant to reside in such unit; provided, however, that where
such unit exists as a legal nonconforming use, the owner of that property
shall be entitled to apply for renewal of a license until such time
that the rental unit is not occupied by student tenants for a period
of one year.
G.
License fees shall be charged in accordance with the Fee Schedule as set forth in Chapter 162, Fees, of the Code of the Township of Radnor, or by separate resolution of the Board of Commissioners. Fees shall be paid upon the filing of an application and shall expire as of June 30, at or prior to which time a fee shall be paid for an additional 12 months.
H.
All rental unit licenses shall have an annual term and each rental
unit shall be subject to a minimum of at least one inspection every
three years based upon a schedule established by the department or
when an application is submitted for a license. The department shall
establish geographic areas and require that rental units in each of
these geographic areas be made available for inspection in the designated
year.
I.
Upon showing of probable cause that a violation of this article or
any other ordinance has occurred, the Code Official may apply to the
District Court having jurisdiction for a warrant to enter and search
the premises.
A.
Enforcement action may be initiated against an owner which may result
in a formal warning, nonrenewal or suspension of the owner's
license, or the filing of an ordinance citation for the violation
of any provision that imposes a duty upon the owner, including failing
to regulate the breach of duties by tenants, as defined in this article.
In all enforcement actions, the existence of housing, rental or dormitory
rules and regulations, and the effectiveness of their enforcement
shall be considered.
B.
FORMAL WARNING
LOSS OF PRIVILEGE TO RENT TO STUDENT TENANTS
NONRENEWAL
SUSPENSION
Definitions of options.
Formal written notification of at least one violation of
this article. Upon satisfactory compliance with this article and any
conditions imposed by the Code Official, the formal warning shall
be removed when the owner applies for renewal of a license.
Any single-family or two-family dwelling units being rented
to student tenants as of the date of enactment of student housing
regulations in the Radnor Township Zoning Ordinance shall be permitted
to continue unless and until the student rental unit is no longer
leased to students for a period of one year or more. If the student
rental unit has not been leased to students for a period of one year
or more, the licensing of new student housing in that rental unit
must meet all requirements of the Radnor Township Zoning Ordinance.
The denial of the privilege to apply for license renewal
after expiration of the current license. Current occupants may be
permitted to remain in the premises until the end of the license term
upon full compliance with the provisions of this article. Application
for license renewal and occupancy of a dwelling unit shall not be
permitted until a time set by the Code Official.
The immediate loss of the privilege to rent a dwelling unit
for a period of time set by the Code Official. Upon full compliance
with the terms of this article, the owner may apply for license renewal.
Upon suspension of a license, the owner shall take immediate steps
to evict the tenants.
C.
When applying discipline under this section, the Code Official shall
consider the following criteria:
(1)
The effect of the violations on the health, safety and welfare of
the tenant of a rental unit and other persons residing within the
premises.
(2)
The impact of the violations on the neighborhood.
(3)
Whether the owner has committed prior violations of this article
or has received prior notices of violations.
(4)
Whether the owner has been subject to disciplinary proceedings under
this article.
(5)
Action taken by the owner to correct violations and to prevent future
violations.
(6)
The policies and lease language employed by the owner to manage the
rental unit to enable the owner to comply with this article.
(7)
In addition to applying discipline as set forth in this section,
the Code Official may impose upon existing or subsequent licenses
reasonable conditions related to fulfilling the terms of this article.
D.
Any of the following may subject an owner to enforcement as provided
for in this section:
(1)
Failure to correct a violation that applies to the premises within
a time period set forth by the Code Official.
(2)
Refusal to allow the inspection of the premises as required by this
article.
(3)
Failure to exercise due diligence in investigating whether a tenant
meets the requirements of this article and the Radnor Township Zoning
Ordinance with respect to student housing.
(4)
Failure to disclose student tenants to the Township renting a single-family
or two-family dwelling unit.
(5)
Failure to take steps to remedy and prevent violations of rental
units as required by this article.
(6)
Failure to file and implement an approved plan to remedy and prevent violations as required by § 226-5 of this article.
(7)
Failure to execute and comply with requirements for rental agreements as set forth in § 226-6 of this article.
(8)
Three violations of this article or other ordinances of the Township
that apply to the premises during a license term. For the purpose
of this article, there need be no criminal conviction before a violation
can be found to exist.
E.
Upon a determination that grounds exist for the issuance of a formal
warning, or that the license is subject to nonrenewal or suspension,
the Code Official shall notify the owner of the action to be taken
and the reason therefor. Notification shall be in writing, addressed
to the owner of the premises, with a copy to the tenants, and contain
the following information:
(1)
The address of the premises in question and identification of the
rental unit(s) affected.
(2)
A description of the violation(s) that have been found to exist.
(3)
A statement that the notice constitutes a formal warning or that
the license is subject to nonrenewal or suspension. In a case where
the license is subject to nonrenewal or suspension, the statement
shall include the effective date and duration of such action.
(4)
A statement that, due to non-renewal or suspension of a license,
the owner is prohibited from renting the premises during the period
said action is in effect.
(5)
A statement informing the owner of the right to appeal the decision of the Code Official to the Rental Housing Board of Appeals. The appeal shall be signed and submitted by the owner and filed with the Township Secretary within 15 calendar days from the date printed on the notice. A detailed statement shall be filed, including the ground(s) and the reason(s) alleged as to why the determination of the Code Official is incorrect or should be overturned and a statement of relief requested by the applicant. The appeal shall be accompanied by the required fee as set forth in Chapter 162, Fees of the Township Code.
(6)
Upon receipt of the appeal and required fee, the Secretary shall
schedule a public hearing of the Rental Housing Board of Appeals.
The meeting shall be at a time and date as determined by the Rental
Housing Board of Appeals, however, not less than 30 calendar days
from receipt of the appeal.
(7)
The owner, Code Official and owners of properties within a radius
of 500 feet shall receive written notice of the date, time and location
of the hearing.
(8)
The appellant and all other parties having an interest may be heard.
The Rental Housing Board of Appeals shall render a decision based
upon the facts and arguments of the appellant, Code Official, police
and any relevant factual presentations of other parties. Such decision
shall be made at following the public hearing or not less than 15
calendar days thereafter. The decision shall be reduced to writing
stating clearly the factual and legal basis for the decision and forwarded
to the owner within 30 calendar days from the last hearing conducted
by the Rental Housing Board of Appeals. Decisions of the Rental Housing
Board of Appeals shall be final.
All notices shall be sent to the owner and tenants by certified
and regular mail. In the event the notice is returned by the postal
authorities marked "unclaimed" or "refused," then the Code Official
may attempt delivery by personal service. The Code Official shall
also post the notice at a conspicuous place on the premises.
Any person who shall violate a provision of this article or
who shall fail to comply with the requirements thereof shall, upon
conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000. Each day
that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
A.
There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any notice required
to be given to the owner under this article shall have been received
by such owner if the notice was given to the owner in accordance with
this article.
B.
A claimed lack of knowledge by the owner of any violation of this
article shall be no defense to a notice providing a formal warning,
the loss of privilege to rent to student tenants or notice of license
nonrenewal, or suspension or proceedings as long as notices prerequisite
to institution of such proceedings have been given and deemed received
in accordance with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
C.
It shall be the duty of the owner of a rental unit to notify the
Code Official in writing of any change in ownership of the premises
or the number of rental units on the premises. It shall also be the
duty of the owner to notify the Code Official in writing of any change
in tenants within a rental unit or the changing of a dwelling unit
from owner-occupied to non-owner-occupied, which thereby transforms
the dwelling unit into a rental unit.
D.
All applications and/or licensing fees shall be set by separate resolution
on an annual basis by the Board of Commissioners.
