Potential and Current Landlords, you may need a license to rent

Changes have been proposed for rental properties in Savannah. Alderman Tony Thomas wants a license to be imposed on rental properties. The city can then regulate the maintenance on these rental properties. If a property is not properly maintained, the city can revoke the rental license. The city has dealt with many complaints from homeowners about the conditions of rental properties in their area. If there are no visible signs of code violations on the exterior, the city can not enter a rental property. 

Landlords are not happy about these proposed changes. They say it's just extra paperwork and extra money. The extra cost will trickle down to those lower income people that are renting from them. They say the city has enough power to regulate rental property. The only thing needed is more inspectors.