Thread: NJ: Lakewood Votes Down Rental Unit Inspections

Lakewood votes down rental unit inspections
Supporter changes position on issue


By Zach Patberg • TOMS RIVER BUREAU • December 14, 2007



LAKEWOOD — The Township Committee Thursday night voted down a proposal to institute mandatory annual inspections of all rental units. Committeeman Robert Singer was the swing vote, having first supported the measure last month.

The committee's two Orthodox Jewish members, Menashe Miller and Meir Lichtenstein, also voted against the ordinance. Many of the town's landlords who would be affected by the new regulation are Orthodox.

Mayor Raymond Coles and Committeeman Charles Cunliffe voted in favor.

Some have accused Singer of being swayed by the Vaad, Lakewood's council of Jewish leaders.

"You said many times you are concerned about the condition of these houses," David Drukaroff, a member of the rental advisory committee that drafted the ordinance, said, addressing Singer at Thursday's committee meeting. "If you truly believe that, you'll vote for this ordinance."

Singer said he voted in favor of the annual inspections initially in order to stimulate public discussion. Yet, by Thursday, he felt more time was needed to allay people's concerns and make adjustments, he said.

Signaling the die had already been cast, Coles said during the public hearing that he doubted the ordinance would pass.

"We don't want to kill it, though," he said. "This is something the township needs. A lot of serious issues in this town have to do with the housing stock."

The committee could revisit the ordinance in another form early next year. Cunliffe questioned why it couldn't have passed Thursday night, with the opportunity for adding amendments down the road.

Several residents voiced their frustration at seeing the ordinance flounder.

"Let's face it, the real reason for the resistance is the fact there are far too many zoning and housing laws being violated throughout Lakewood, just as there are far too many in this town who seem to place themselves above the laws and statutes on our books," Michael Billing said.

Diane Reaves, chairwoman of the advisory committee, cited other towns, such as Freehold and Seaside Heights, as proof that the annual inspections work.

"It's time Lakewood decided to develop into a town like Howell or Jackson, instead of being one of the biggest embarrassments of Ocean County," she said.

The main objections from the Vaad and landlords centered on the ordinance's all-encompassing nature, which they claim would unfairly burden law-abiding property managers. In trying to prevent deteriorating conditions, the annual inspections would charge each of the town's 10,000 rental units $50 each year.

"I can't believe that everyone who spoke in there prefaced "landlord' with words like "unscrupulous,' " Eve Roth, manager of about 60 properties in town, said of the public hearing. "There are a lot of good landlords out there and (if the ordinance passes) they're going to have to pay for all the sins of the tenants."

The Vaad considers the ordinance a cumbersome bureaucratic move that would spread inspection resources too thin, according to Rabbi Moshe Weisberg, a member.

"We need to refocus on the repeat offenders as the priority and deal with them," he said.


COMMENTS


LkwdGal wrote:

Did it ever occur to anybody that there may be corruption in the inspection department was a questioned posted? The Inspections Department? Try any department with any type of authority in Lakewood. How many towns in the state of New Jersey besides Lakewood have no separation between church and state? How many towns in New Jersey besides Lakewood funnel money from the public school system to the private religious schools? It is hard to have a voice in this town if you are part of the minority, the ones who are looked down upon because they do not share the same religious beliefs as a majority of the population. Let�s face it, in Lakewood if you are part of the minority, you don�t matter and your voice can not be heard, no matter how loud you yell!
12/14/2007 3:40:28 PM

humbleangel wrote:

I'd like to know how many of these members collect multiply pensions from the township or state...And I'd like to know how many of these landlords collect CASH and if that CASH is reported to the IRS...And I'd like to know how many are "claiming" to actually RESIDE in their rentals - Mr. Miller, apparently, resides in THREE different homes. How can he list THREE different homes as his primary residence????There are many other things going on here folks - and I think its time that the proper authorities WHO ARE NOT IN THE POCKET OF THE VAAD FOR THEIR POSITIONS are finally contacted. Its time to LEAVE Lakewood and seek justice OUTSIDE of Lakewood with others who don't have to do just what the VAAD tells them to do...
12/14/2007 3:10:43 PM
LkwdGal wrote:

Did it ever occur to anybody that there may be corruption in the inspection department was a questioned posted? The Inspections Department? Try any department with any type of authority in Lakewood. How many towns in the state of New Jersey besides Lakewood have no separation between church and state? How many towns in New Jersey besides Lakewood funnel money from the public school system to the private religious schools? It is hard to have a voice in this town if you are part of the minority, the ones who are looked down upon because they do not share the same religious beliefs as a majority of the population. Let�s face it, in Lakewood if you are part of the minority, you don�t matter and your voice can not be heard, no matter how loud you yell!


yaiyai wrote:

I advise all Lakewood residents to listen to Maz18's comments. If you see a messy yard, if it even appears as though a house is overoccupied, if there are people hanging around outside, if the house number is missing or obstructed from view, if there are any type of meetings or services taking place, if it even smells funny, call the Lakewood PD and the inspection dept and insist on an inspection Don't just mumble under your breath about it. Do something or things will never change. Lakewood is clearly governed by those only iconcerned in serving there own interests. Until the population stands up nothing will change for the better.
12/14/2007 2:31:42 PM
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VictoriaMargaret wrote:

Anything that gets in the way of some of these lanadlords getting more money will be shot down I mean 900.00 for a 1 bedroom low income appartment with nothing included is a bit much I know of places that are much less in the same town that have some or all utilitys included. I have seen some of these houses that are for rent for rediculus amounts that would make it hard or imposible for 1 family with a good income to rent out, I mean if you are going to pay 1100.00 or 1200.00 for rent plus utilitys just buy your own home. That much is enough for a good mortgage. I think this ordanace would put some of the landlords back in line BUT NO THE TOWNSHIP (VAAD) HAD TO VOTE IT DOWN SO THEY CAN PROTECT THERE PRECIOUS LAND(SLUM)LORDS
12/14/2007 2:20:07 PM


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Thank's for posting this...I was wondering how it turned out. Should of known...all about money, corruption. I agree with a few commenters, the people have to continuesly keep reporting anything out of line that they see. Anything. Be a pain in the a$$ every single day to the PD & "inspection" dept...