Companion bills HB 1011 and SB 1507 would amend the state’s minimum housing and inspection statutes to require probable cause before cities can inspect for unsafe, unsanitary, or hazardous conditions in residential and non-residential buildings.
The House bill is sponsored by State Representative Pryor Gibson (Democrat – Anson and Union County) and co-sponsored by Representative Bill Faison (Democrat – Caswell and Orange County) and the Senate bill is sponsored by State Senator Julia Boseman (Democrat – New Hanover County).
Currently, public officers may inspect where there is “reason to believe” that unsafe conditions exist. This determination may be made based on observations of exterior features of the building in question.
According to the Web site of the Apartment Association of North Carolina, a lobbying group for North Carolina landlords, the legislation was introduced at their behest.
The bill, if passed, would negate the City of Henderson’s efforts to pass the Ordinance Requiring a Permit to Rent Dwelling Units in the City of Henderson which would require a certificate of occupancy acquired through inspection each time a rental property is leased to a new tenant.
Landlords in Henderson have been vocal in their opposition to the ordinance, arguing that the financial burden caused by such an ordinance would have the effect of driving up rents or forcing owners to stop providing rental units.
It is unknown if any of the major rental management businesses in Henderson are members of the Apartment Association of North Carolina, as it does not list its members on-line.