This article is enacted to provide uniform and equitable distribution
of the tax levies in the Borough and upon the inhabitants thereof
and to promote the welfare of the inhabitants of the Borough.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
BUSINESS UNIT
A parcel of real estate, with or without improvements located
thereon, utilized by any person or persons for any activity carried
on or exercised for gain or profit in the Borough, including, but
not limited to, the sale of merchandise or other tangible personalty
or the performance of services and the rental of personalty and/or
realty.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms used for living and sleeping purposes arranged
for occupancy by one family or by one or more persons.
LANDLORD
A lessor, or person who acts as agent for the lessor, of
any parcel of real estate located in the Borough, or a lessor, or
person who acts as agent for the lessor, of any improvements on real
estate or any building located in the Borough.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association, firm or corporation.
TENANT
A person who has the use, either by himself or with others,
of a dwelling unit or a business unit owned by a person other than
himself for a period exceeding 30 days.
Within 30 days from the effective date of this article, each
landlord shall submit to the Borough Manager a report form supplied
by the Borough Manager, which includes the following information.
A. A list of dwelling units and business units owned by the landlord
and located within the Borough limits, whether occupied or not occupied.
B. Address of each dwelling unit and business unit.
C. Lot and block number of each dwelling unit and business unit.
D. Whether or not said dwelling unit or business unit is inhabited or
utilized by tenants.
E. Names of all tenants utilizing each aforementioned dwelling unit
or business unit, if any.
F. Name and address of any tenant's employment, if known.
G. Social security number of each tenant, if known.
After the effective date of this article, any person who becomes a landlord shall, within 30 days thereafter, report to the Borough Manager the information and data set forth in §
254-3 above and on forms to be provided by the Borough Manager.
After the effective date of this article, each and every landlord
of property within the Borough shall report to the Borough Manager,
on a report form to be supplied by the Borough Manager, any change
in the use or occupancy of any dwelling unit or business unit owned
by such landlord. The reported change shall include the name or names
of all new tenants of such dwelling unit or business unit, the date
when such change was effected, and the forwarding address of the previous
tenant or tenants, if known. The report shall also contain the name
and address of the tenant's employer, if known; and the tenant's social
security number, if known. In the event that a dwelling unit or business
unit was used or utilized by a tenant and then becomes vacant, this
change shall also be reported to the Borough Manager. All reports
required by this section shall be made within 30 days after a landlord
has knowledge that such a unit has had a change in use or occupancy
or has become vacant.
The Borough Manager, under the authority of this article, shall:
A. Maintain on file at the Borough office, the names of the landlords
owning dwelling units and business units in the Borough and a list
to include the names of the current tenants of said dwelling units
and business units.
B. Maintain a supply of forms for landlords to use in making reports to the Borough Manager as required by §§
254-3,
254-4 and
254-5 of this article.
C. Notify the Building Code Official, the Fire Chief and the Chief of
Police of the Borough of the address and description of any dwelling
unit or business unit that is vacant, unoccupied and not in use.
D. Forward the list of landlords and current tenants of dwelling units
and business units to the appropriate Borough taxing jurisdiction.
[Amended 2-19-1996 by Ord. No. 1159]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article,
including failure to file required reports; filing inaccurate, untimely
or incomplete reports; or for any other violation, shall, upon conviction
thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 plus costs
and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues
shall constitute a separate offense.