The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. Ensure public health, safety and welfare of occupants of rental units/properties,
their occupants and surrounding properties;
B. Establish minimum standards and procedures governing the maintenance
and conditions of all rental dwelling unit properties; and
C. Provide an organized inspection program and schedule that achieves
the above objectives.
As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the
following definitions:
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
A sworn or nonsworn inspector, officer, or investigator,
who possesses specialized training in and whose primary duties are
the prevention, detection, investigation, and enforcement of violations
of laws regulating public nuisance, public health, safety, and welfare,
housing standards, public works, business activities and consumer
protection, building standards, land use, or municipal affairs.
LANDLORD
A person and/or an authorized representative who leases or
otherwise permits another person to occupy a rental unit for money
or other consideration.
OWNER
A person, persons, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, or any other entity holding fee title to the subject real
property.
PERSON
An individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation,
association, or other legal entity.
RENTAL DWELLING UNIT (RDU)
A single unit providing living facilities for one or more
natural persons that has permanent provisions for living, sleeping,
and sanitation, and is rented or available to tenants. Leasing or
allowing occupancy usage of a rental dwelling unit may occur, either
directly or by an agent, for consideration of value, including personal
services, paid or tendered to or for the use or benefit of the lessor.
TENANT
One or more natural persons who occupy a rental unit for
which said person pays money or gives other consideration.
TOWN
The Town of Georgetown, Delaware.
All rental dwelling units shall be subject to the requirements
of this chapter, except for the following:
A. Rental dwelling unit for transient lodging, including hotels, motels,
inns, and tourist homes.
B. Rental dwelling units in a state licensed hospital, hospice, community
care facility or nursing home; convent, monastery, or other facility
occupied exclusively by members of a religious order; on-campus fraternity
or sorority houses; or on-campus housing accommodations owned, operated,
or managed by an institution of higher education or secondary school
for occupancy by its students.
C. Rental dwelling units that are owned, operated by, or receive funding
or subsidies from federal, state, or local government entities and
are inspected by a governmental entity at least once every five years.
D. Rental units exceeding 30 units with full-time property managers
on-site, provided that they shall share their inspection protocols
and the frequency of their inspections with the Town Manager or his/her
designee. The Town Manager or designee shall request that the property
manager submit an annual summary of the findings of these inspections.