 On September 16, 2008, The Lansing Village Board adopted a state-of-the-art crime prevention program, designed to reduce crime and drug / gang related problems on residential rental properties, known as the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program.
This program was successfully developed at the Mesa Arizona Police Department in 1992 and has since spread to over 2,000 cities in 44 U.S. states and to many other countries.
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program consists of three phases that are completed in conjunction with the police department. Phase I is mandatory for all residential rental property owners. Phases II and III are optional, but required for full certification in the program.
The anticipated benefits of the program are: reduced calls for service, a more stable, satisfied resident base, increased demand for rental units with a reputation for active management, increased property values, lower maintenance and repair costs and improved personal safety for building occupants and the community at-large.
Beginning on January 1, 2009, all residential rental property owners in Lansing will be required to obtain a license in order to rent their property. In order to receive a license, residential rental property owners or their designees, will be required to attend a 4 hour management training seminar taught at The Lansing Police Department. Your rental unit will then have to be inspected by the Building or Fire Department to insure it is a safe dwelling. Residential rental property owners will then be required to include a "Crime Free Lease Addendum" on all their subsequent rental / lease agreements.
The heart and soul of the program is in the correct implementation and use of the "Crime Free Lease Addendum". This addendum enables landlords to more easily evict problem tenants if they become engaged in certain criminal activity. When drug criminals and other destructive tenants operate out of rental property, neighborhoods suffer and landlords pay a high price. With this program, landlords and village agents will now be better equipped to get rid of tenants involved with criminal activity who cause problems for the rest of the community. By working together, we have the potential to greatly improve the quality of life in our town.
If you are a residential rental property owner and have not yet acquired your license, you are in violation of the new ordinance and risk being cited for same. To begin the process of getting licensed, you will need to attend the required training seminar. To set up an appointment to attend a seminar, or for any other inquiries concerning the program, contact Sgt. Tim Glinski at 708/ 895-7130 or Ofc. Aaron Barnes at 708/ 895-7140.
To view a copy of the ordinance click here for details.
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