[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024][1]]
It is the purpose of this Part to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of West Norriton Township citizens, to establish rights and obligations of owners and occupants relating to the rental of certain residential dwelling units in West Norriton Township and to encourage owners and occupants to maintain and improve the quality of rental housing within the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance amended in its entirety Ch. 11, Housing, which formerly consisted of Part 1, Required List of Occupants for Apartment Houses or Rental Units, adopted by Ord. 391, 12/29/1972; as amended by Ord. 524, 12/31/1991; and Part 2, Registration and Licensing of Residential Rental Units, adopted by Ord. 2013-675, 9/10/2013; as amended by Ord. 2017-710, 6/13/2017.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
As used in this Part, the following terms have the meanings indicated below:
CODE OFFICIAL
The Director of Code Enforcement and his/her designees.
CODE(S)
Any code or ordinance adopted, enacted and/or in effect in and for West Norriton Township concerning fitness for habitation or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use or appearance of any premises or residential rental unit or rooming unit.
COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Commissioners of West Norriton Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms in a building, designed for occupancy by one family for living purposes and having its own permanently installed cooking and sanitary facilities, with no enclosed space (other than vestibules, entrances or other hallways or porches) in common with any other dwelling unit.
GUEST
A person on the premises with the actual or implied consent of an occupant.
LANDLORD
One or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to the premises or all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to the present use and enjoyment of the premises, including a mortgage holder in possession of a residential rental unit (same as "owner").
LANDLORD-TENANT ACT
The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, 68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq., as the same may be amended from time to time.
LOCAL RESPONSIBLE AGENT
An adult individual designated by the owner of a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit who is responsible for providing the Code Official with access to the dwelling unit or rooming unit for the purpose of making inspections necessary to ensure compliance with Chapter 11, Part 1, of the Code. A responsible local agent is required to either reside on the premises in which the dwelling unit or rooming unit is located or reside within a radius of 15 miles of West Norriton Township. An owner may designate himself or herself as a responsible agent if he or she either resides on the premises in which the dwelling unit or rooming unit is located or resides within a radius of 15 miles of West Norriton Township.
OCCUPANT
An individual who resides in a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit, whether or not he or she is the owner thereof, with whom a legal relationship with the owner/landlord is established by a lease or by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
OWNER
One or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to the premises or all of part of the beneficial ownership and a right to the present use and enjoyment of the premises, including a mortgage holder in possession of a residential rental unit.
OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DWELLING UNIT
A residential rental dwelling unit in which the owner resides on a regular, permanent basis.
PERSON
Any individual, association, trust, partnership or corporation, including any members, directors, officers, employees, partners or principals thereof. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, "person" includes the members, trustees, partners, directors, officers, managers and supervisors, or any of them, of partnerships, associations, corporations or other forms of entity.
PREMISES
Any parcel of real property in the Township, including the land and all buildings and appurtenant structures or appurtenant elements, on which one or more residential rental dwelling units or rooming units are located.
RENTAL AGREEMENT or LEASE
A written agreement between an owner/landlord and occupant/tenant supplemented by the addendum required under § 11-103, Subsection 5, embodying the terms and conditions concerning use and occupancy of a specified residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit.
RENTAL LICENSE
The license issued to the owner of a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit under this Part, which is required for the lawful rental and occupancy of the same.
RENTS, LEASES or LETS
The oral or written agreement or permission by an owner of a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit for the use and occupancy of a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit in consideration of the payment of rent, the sharing of expenses or other consideration of any nature.
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DWELLING UNIT
Any dwelling unit within the Township that is occupied by someone other than the owner of the property as determined by the most current deed and for which the owner of the said property received any value, including, but not limited to, money, or the exchange of services.
REVOKE
The loss of the privilege to rent a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit for a period of time set by the Code Official and the loss of the privilege to apply for the renewal of the rental license at the expiration of that time period.
ROOMING UNIT
A dwelling providing lodging with or without meals but including common cooking and sanitary facilities.
SUSPEND
The loss of the privilege to rent a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit for a period of time set by the Code Official. After the expiration of the suspension time period, the owner may apply for the renewal of the rental license.
TENANT
An individual who resides in a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit, whether or not he or she is the owner thereof, with whom a legal relationship with the owner/landlord is established by a lease or by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (same as "occupant").
TOWNSHIP
West Norriton Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
1. 
General. It shall be the duty of every owner of a residential rental dwelling unit and rooming unit to keep and maintain such dwelling units and rooming units in compliance with all applicable commonwealth laws and regulations and codes and to keep the premises in good and safe condition. The owner/landlord shall be responsible for regularly performing all maintenance, including lawn mowing and ice and snow removal, and for making all repairs in and around the premises. As provided for in this Part, every owner/landlord shall make every reasonable effort to regulate the proper and lawful use and maintenance of every residential rental dwelling unit and rooming unit which he, she or it owns.
2. 
Designation of Local Responsible Agent. Any owner who rents, leases or lets a residential rental dwelling unit or a rooming unit shall designate and appoint an adult individual to serve as the responsible local agent for such dwelling unit or rooming unit. The responsible local agent shall be responsible for providing the Code Official with access to the dwelling unit or the rooming unit for the purpose of making inspections necessary to ensure compliance with the Township Code, including Chapter 11 of the Code, titled "Housing." A responsible local agent is required to either reside on the premises in which the dwelling unit or rooming unit is located or reside within a radius of 15 miles of West Norriton Township. An owner may designate himself or herself as a responsible agent if he or she either resides on the premises in which the dwelling unit or rooming unit is located or resides within a radius of 15 miles of West Norriton Township. The local responsible agent shall be the agent of the owner for service of process and receiving of notices and demands, as well as for performing the obligations of the owner under this Part and under rental agreements with the occupants. The identity, address and telephone number(s) of a person who is designated as local responsible agent hereunder shall be provided by the owner to the Township, and such information shall be kept current and updated as it changes.
3. 
Disclosure. The owner or responsible local agent shall disclose to all occupants in writing on or before the commencement of the rental agreement:
A. 
The name, address and telephone number of the responsible local agency, if applicable;
B. 
The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the premises.
4. 
Maintenance of Premises. The owner shall maintain the premises in compliance with the codes of the Township and shall regularly perform all routine maintenance, including lawn mowing and ice and snow removal and shall promptly make all repairs necessary to fulfill this obligation. The owner and occupant may agree that the occupant is to perform the routine maintenance of the premises, including lawn mowing and ice and snow removal. In such a case, however, such agreement between the owner and occupant must be in writing. Such an agreement may be entered into between the owner and occupant only if: (i) the agreement of the parties is entered into in good faith and not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the owner or occupant; and (ii) the agreement does not diminish or affect the obligation of the owner to other occupants in the premises. In no case shall the existence of any agreement between the owner and the occupant relieve an owner of any responsibility under this Part or other ordinances or codes for maintenance of the premises.
5. 
Rental Agreement. All disclosures and information required to be given to occupants by the owner shall be furnished at or before the commencement of the rental agreement. The owner shall provide all occupants with copies of any rental agreement and addendum upon execution.
A. 
Terms and Conditions. The Owner and the occupant may include in a rental agreement terms and conditions not prohibited by this Part or other applicable ordinances, regulations and laws, including rent, term of the agreement and other provisions governing the right and obligations of the parties.
B. 
Right of Inspection. The rental agreement shall specify that the Township has the right to periodically inspect the residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit for purposes of issuing a rental license pursuant to this Part. The rental agreement shall be signed by all tenants who shall consent to routine inspections of the dwelling unit or rooming unit required by this Part.
C. 
Prohibited Provisions. Except as otherwise provided by this Part, no rental agreement may provide that the occupant or owner agrees to waive or forgo rights or remedies under this Part. A provision prohibited by this subsection included in a rental agreement is unenforceable.
6. 
Complaints. The owner shall promptly reply to reasonable complaints and inquiries from occupants.
7. 
Landlord-Tenant Act. The owner shall comply with all provisions of the Landlord-Tenant Act.
8. 
Inspections. The Code Official shall perform routine inspections on all residential rental dwelling units and rooming units subject to the provisions of this Part 11, Part 1, of the Code of West Norriton Township to determine compliance with all applicable terms of the Code. The frequency of such routine inspections shall be determined in accordance with a schedule adopted by the Township. The owner shall include in the rental agreement the Township's right to make such inspections upon reasonable notice to the owner, and the owner shall notify the tenants prior to the scheduled inspection(s). If necessary, the Code Official may seek to obtain a search warrant issued by a competent authority for the purpose of compelling an inspection or otherwise enforcing the terms and conditions of the Code. Any premises which has been found to be in noncompliance with the Code shall be subject to reinspection by the Code Official.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
1. 
General. All occupants of residential rental dwelling units and rooming units shall comply with all obligations imposed upon occupants by this Part, all applicable codes and ordinances of the Township and all applicable provisions of commonwealth law.
2. 
Health and Safety Regulations. The maximum number of persons permitted in any residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit at any time shall not exceed the number permitted by the Zoning Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 27, Zoning.
3. 
Peaceful Enjoyment. The occupant shall conduct himself or herself and require other persons, including, but not limited to, guests on the premises and within his or her residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit, with his or her express or implied consent, to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the premises by others, and that will not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of adjacent or nearby dwellings by the person(s) occupying same.
4. 
Illegal Activities. The occupant shall not engage in, nor tolerate, nor permit others on the premises to engage in any conduct declared illegal under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (18 Pa. C.S.A. § 101 et seq.) or Liquor Code (47 P.S. § 1-101 et seq.) or the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P.S. § 780-101 et seq.)
5. 
Damage to Premises. The occupant shall not intentionally cause, nor permit or tolerate others to cause, damage to the premises.
6. 
Inspection of Premises. The occupant shall permit inspections by the Code Official of the premises at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice to the owner as provided in the rental agreement and this Part.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
1. 
License Required. No person shall rent, lease or sublet a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit unless such person holds a valid rental license for such unit issued by the Code Official.
2. 
Rental License Fees. Every person applying for and obtaining a rental license for a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit shall pay a yearly rental license fee which shall be established by the Commissioners by resolution from time to time.
3. 
Application for rental license; registration of rental dwelling units and rooming units; form and content. Application for and registration of a rental license for a residential rental dwelling unit or a rooming unit shall be made in writing on forms prepared and provided by the Township and shall be accompanied with payment of the applicable rental license fee. Such forms shall require, but shall not be limited to requiring, the following information and shall be signed and sworn to by the owner of such dwelling unit or rooming unit:
A. 
The names and addresses of all of the owners of the dwelling unit or rooming unit.
B. 
The name, address telephone number and email address of the person authorized to collect rent for the dwelling unit or rooming unit.
C. 
The name, local address, telephone numbers, business and home, and email address of the responsible local agent.
D. 
The address of the premises in which the dwelling unit or the rooming unit is located.
E. 
Identification of the unit as a dwelling unit or a rooming unit.
F. 
The number of dwelling units or rooming units located on the premises in which the dwelling unit or rooming unit is located.
4. 
Filing Tenant and Landlord Information Form.
A. 
At the time that an owner files an application for a rental license for a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit, the owner shall complete, sign and file a tenant and landlord information form. The tenant and landlord information form shall be prepared by or at the direction of the Code Official and shall require the owner to provide the names and the addresses of the owner, the responsible local agent, the address of the dwelling unit and/or rooming unit, the names and unit addresses of the tenants and/or occupants, the lease commencement and expiration date and such additional information as the Code Official may require for purposes of the implementation, administration and enforcement of this Part. Any time there is a change of tenants and/or occupants, the owner shall provide the Township with an updated tenant and landlord information form.
B. 
Notwithstanding the provisions above, the owner shall not be required to disclose the name and unit address of a tenant or occupant if the owner has reason to believe that such a disclosure may jeopardize the personal safety and well-being of a tenant or occupant and the owner provides the Code Official with such information and documentation to support such belief as may be reasonably required by the Code Official.
5. 
Issuance of Initial Rental License. Upon receipt of a fully completed application and registration form for an initial rental license for a residential rental dwelling unit or a rooming unit and receipt of payment of the applicable rental license fee, the Code Official shall inspect the residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit to determine if such rooming unit or dwelling unit is in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Code. In connection with the inspection of a dwelling unit or a rooming unit, the Code Official is authorized to inspect the interior and exterior of the rooming house in which the rooming unit is located or the building in which the dwelling unit is located. If the Code Official determines that the rooming unit or dwelling unit is in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Code, the Code Official shall issue a rental license to the owner or responsible local agent; provided, however, that if the owner of the property where the dwelling unit or rooming unit is located is delinquent in the payment of municipal taxes or municipal claims, the rental permit may be denied until such time as such taxes or claims are paid in full. In the event that the Code Official finds that the rooming unit or dwelling unit is in violation of any applicable provision of the Code, the Code Official shall not issue the rental license and instead shall issue a notice of violation as provided by this Part. After receipt of notice from the owner or the responsible local agent that the violations have been abated or remedied, the Code Official shall reinspect the rooming unit or rental dwelling unit to determine if the items cited in the notice of violation have been remedied or corrected, in which case the rental license shall be issued. The rental license shall, at all times, be maintained in the rooming unit or dwelling unit or on the premises in which the rooming unit or dwelling unit is located and shall be available for inspection by Township officials.
6. 
Reregistration of residential rental dwelling units and rooming units; renewal; transfer of ownership.
A. 
The owner of any rooming unit or residential rental dwelling unit must renew the rental license for such rooming unit or dwelling unit every year by the first of January by payment of the applicable license fee and completing and filing the forms prepared and provided by the Township with respect to such reregistration. The Code Official shall not be required to perform an inspection in connection with the renewal of a rental license but may choose to do so.
B. 
In the event of a transfer of ownership, the rental license shall be transferred to the new owner by the new owner's payment of a transfer fee in an amount established by resolution of the Commissioners and the filing, within 10 days of the transfer of ownership, of a completed written rental license application and registration form for each rooming unit and dwelling unit provided by the Township. It shall be the responsibility of the owner(s) to notify the Code Official of the transfer not more than five days' prior to the date of the transfer of ownership. The new owner shall register and obtain a rental license for each rooming unit or dwelling unit and pay the applicable rental license fee therefor within five days after the date of the transfer of ownership.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
1. 
General. In addition to imposing fines and penalties as prescribed by this Part, the Code Official may initiate disciplinary action against an owner that may result in a written warning, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of the owner's rental license for violating any provision of this Part that imposes a duty upon the owner as provided for herein.
2. 
Grounds for Imposing Discipline. Any of the following may subject an owner to discipline as provided for in this Part:
A. 
Failure to obtain a rental license prior to allowing tenants to occupy the property.
B. 
Two or more violations of other not enumerated citations within the West Norriton Township Code.
3. 
Types of Disciplinary Action.
A. 
Written warning; corrective action plan.
(1) 
Upon the accumulation of at least two Code violations at a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming house within a license period, the Code Official shall issue a written warning advising the owner that future Code violations shall lead to further disciplinary action as specified herein.
B. 
Written notice; corrective action plan.
(1) 
Upon the accumulation of at least three Code violations or if the initial Code violations have not been remedied within a 30-day period at a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming house within a license period, the Code Official shall issue a written warning advising the owner that future occurrences of Code violations shall lead to further disciplinary action as specified herein.
(2) 
If within 20 days after receipt of a written notice from the Code Official at least two violations of the Code have accumulated at a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming house, the owner shall file with the Code Official a report setting forth what action the owner has taken to prevent a reoccurrence of such conduct or violation. The report shall also set forth a plan as to the steps the owner will take in the future if the violation shall reoccur.
(3) 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall review the report, and if adequate steps have been taken and the plan is adequate to address future Code violations, shall approve the plan. If the Code Enforcement Officer does not find that the plan is adequate to prevent reoccurrence of similar Code violations by the occupants, he shall specify this in writing to the owner and suggest alternative measures to be taken by the owner. The owner shall thereafter revise the plan to incorporate the Code Official's recommendations.
(4) 
The owner shall, on his or her initiative, enforce the plan, and failure to do so shall be a violation of this Part.
(5) 
Upon satisfactory compliance with the corrective action plan and any conditions imposed by the Code Official, the formal warning shall be removed when the owner applies for a license renewal, provided that there was no accumulation of additional violations at the same residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit in the same license period.
C. 
Nonrenewal, suspension and revocation.
(1) 
Upon the accumulation of at least four Code violations or if the initial Code violations have not been remedied within 90 days for a dwelling unit or rooming house within a license period, involving the same occupant or occupants, the Code Official shall impose one of the following disciplinary actions:
(a) 
Deny the owner the privilege to apply for license renewal after the expiration of the license term;
(b) 
Suspend the rental license for a period of time set by the Code Official; or
(c) 
Revoke the rental license for a time specified by the Code Official.
(2) 
If the Code Official denies, suspends, revokes the rental license, the owner may maintain occupants in the premises until the end of the lease or license term, whichever ends first.
4. 
Criteria for Applying Discipline. The Code Official, when imposing discipline authorized pursuant to this Part, shall consider the following:
A. 
Whether the owner has prior violations of this Part and other ordinances of the Township or has received other notices of violations as provided for in this Part.
B. 
Whether the owner has been subject to disciplinary proceedings under this Part.
C. 
The effect of disciplinary action on the occupants.
D. 
In addition to applying discipline as set forth above, the Code Official may recommend that as a condition of issuing a subsequent rental license, reasonable conditions related to fulfilling the purposes of this Part be imposed.
5. 
Procedure for nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of license; notification. Following a determination that grounds for nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of a license exist, the Code Official shall notify the owner of the action to be taken and the reason therefor. Such notification shall be in writing, addressed to the owner in question, be sent certified mail and shall contain the following information:
A. 
The address of the premises in question and identification of the particular residential rental dwelling unit(s) or rooming unit(s) affected.
B. 
A description of the Code violations which have occurred.
C. 
A statement that the license for said residential rental dwelling unit(s) or rooming unit(s) shall be either suspended or revoked or will not be renewed for the next license year or that the owner will receive a formal warning. In the case of a suspension or revocation, the notice shall state the date upon which such suspension or revocation will commence and in the case of a suspension shall also state the duration of said suspension.
D. 
A statement that, due to the nonrenewal, suspension or revocation, the owner or any person acting on his, her or its behalf is prohibited from renting, leasing or permitting occupancy of the residential rental dwelling unit(s) or rooming unit(s) from and during the period said action is in effect.
E. 
A statement informing the owner that he, she or it has a right to appeal the decision suspending, revoking or declining to renew the license to the Public Safety Committee in accordance with the procedure in § 11-107.
6. 
Delivery of Notification. All notices shall be sent to the owner and responsible local agent, if applicable, by certified mail. In the event the notice is returned by postal authorities marked "unclaimed" or "refused," then the Code Official shall attempt delivery by personal service on the owner or responsible local agent, if applicable. The Code Official shall also post the notice at a conspicuous place on the premises.
7. 
Effect of Suspension or Revocation of Rental License. Upon the commencement of suspension or revocation and after the owner has evicted the occupants in accordance with the provisions in the rental agreement and Landlord-Tenant Act, the residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit shall be secured by the owner, and no person, firm, or corporation shall operate or rent/lease to another for residential occupancy any dwelling unit or rooming unit during such time that the rental license for such unit is suspended or revoked. The transfer of the ownership of a rental property by an owner to an entity in which such owner holds an ownership or equity interest will not void any existing suspension or revocation relating to such rental property.
8. 
Nonexclusive Remedies. The discipline provisions of this section and the license nonrenewal, suspension and revocation procedures provided in this Part shall be independent, non-mutually exclusive separate remedies, all of which shall be available to the Township as may be deemed appropriate for carrying out the purposes of this Part. The remedies and procedures provided in this Part for violation hereof are not intended to supplant or replace to any degree any of the remedies and procedures available to the Township in the case of a violation of any other code or ordinance of the Township, whether or not such other code or ordinance is referenced in this Part and whether or not an ongoing violation of such other code or ordinance is cited as the underlying ground for a finding of a violation of this Part.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
1. 
The owner of a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit has the right to appeal a decision suspending, revoking or declining to renew a rental license to the Public Safety Committee by submitting in writing to the Township Manager, within 30 days from the date printed on the notice, a detailed statement of the appeal, including grounds therefor 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 appellant. Such notice of appeal shall be required to be submitted on a form to be prescribed therefor by the Township and signed by the appellant.
2. 
There is hereby imposed a fee for filing of such appeals, the amount of which shall be determined and established, from time to time, by resolution of Commissioners.
3. 
Upon receipt of such an appeal in proper form, accompanied with the requisite filing fee, the Township Manager shall schedule an appeal hearing of the Public Safety Committee to be held within 60 days of the request.
4. 
The appellant, Code Official and the owners of properties within a radius of 300 feet from the premises for which the license is at issue shall receive written notice of the hearing on appeal. The Public Safety Committee shall hold a hearing on the appeal, which shall be conducted in accordance with the Local Agency Law, 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 551 et seq. and 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 751 et seq. The appellant and all other parties having an interest may be heard. Based on the facts and arguments of the appellant and the Code Official and any police or other public officials involved, and any relevant factual presentations of other parties, the Public Safety Committee shall make a decision affirming, reversing or modifying the action of the Code Official from which the appeal was taken. Among other facts presented, the Public Safety Committee shall consider the factors set forth in § 11-106, Subsection 4, when determining if the decision to suspend, revoke or not to renew a license shall be upheld. The Committee shall also have the discretion to consider citations against a particular dwelling unit or rooming unit in instances where the owner has taken steps to implement an approved corrective action plan to remedy and prevent violations of the Code. Such decision shall be rendered at a public meeting either immediately following the hearing or within 45 days thereafter. The decision shall be reduced to writing stating clearly the factual and legal basis for the decision, within 45 days after the hearing. If the Public Safety Committee deems it necessary or desirable, it may continue the hearing to a subsequent time and date not later than 30 days from the initial hearing and in such case the time limits for rendering the decision and reducing it to writing set forth herein shall be calculated from the last hearing date at which the substance of the decision is orally announced.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
For purposes of this Part, violations are those reasonably related and applicable to housing and maintenance of the rental property.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
1. 
Notice. All official notices of the Township relating to a residential rental dwelling unit or rooming unit shall be served on the owner of the unit and the local responsible agent, if applicable. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any notice required to be given to the owner under this Part shall have been received by such owner if the notice was given to the owner in the manner provided by this Part. A claimed lack of knowledge by the owner of any violation hereunder cited shall be no defense to license nonrenewal, suspension or revocation proceedings as long as all notice prerequisite to institution of such proceedings have been given and deemed received in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Part.
2. 
Owners Severally Responsible. If any residential rental dwelling unit or rooming house is owned by more than one person, in any form of joint tenancy, as a partnership or otherwise, each person shall be jointly and severally responsible for the duties imposed under the terms of this Part and shall be severally subject to prosecution for the violation of this Part.
3. 
Confidentiality. All registration and contact information shall be maintained in a confidential manner by the Code Official and shall only be utilized for the purpose of enforcement of this Part by the Code Official.
[Ord. No. 2024-771, 11/12/2024]
Any person who violates or permits the violation of any provision of this Part or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof, shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be subject to the payment of a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution. Each section of this Part that is violated shall constitute a separate offense, and each day or portion thereof in which a violation of a section of this Part is found to exist shall constitute a separate offense, each of which violations shall be punishable by a separate fine imposed by the District Justice of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution. In addition to the fines set forth herein, the Township shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in enforcing this Part. The said fees shall be added to any penalties set forth above.