Daily Debriefing
Last night, the Town of Hanover select board adopted a new rental housing ordinance in a four-to-one vote at its second public hearing on the matter. The ordinance gives the town the discretion to inspect a property for health and safety violations when it receives a written complaint and imposes a $200 charge for verified violations. If the owner refuses entry, the town may seek an administrative search warrant. The ordinance also requires all owners of rental property to register. Town manager Julia Griffin said the ordinance will strengthen the town's ability to inspect "problematic units." The new regulations specifically exempt Dartmouth fraternities, sororities and residence halls. The ordinance does not address occupancy levels, which one landlord at the hearing said was a major safety concern. Griffin said this issue falls under the purview of zoning regulations, not the select board. Selectman Peter Christie described the new measure as a "light" regulatory housing ordinance.