A total of 14 properties representing three area landlords have been inspected under the new voluntary rental inspection program since the new initiative was

created.

The voluntary program, created by Charleston Mayor Dan Cougill with the support of the Student Senate External Relations committee, was started in December when the mayor’s efforts to implement a mandatory rental inspection program were not failed because a state law blocked the initiative.

Students living off campus can check a list of addresses that have been inspected at City Hall or the Student Government office to see which rental properties have been inspected by city building inspectors.

Properties are not added to the list until they pass the inspection, Jeff Finley, city planner, said Tuesday. Thus far, only minor problems have been encountered, and all were quickly repaired, he said.

Since the program started, 89 units from 14 addresses have been inspected at the wishes of the landlords.

External Relations Committee Chair Marty Ruhaak has reported to the Student Senate for the last few weeks that there were 62 addresses on the list, but he could not be reached because he was out of town Monday and Tuesday. In addition, Cougill could not be reached Monday or Tuesday for comment.

The list will be posted at the Student Government’s office and Web site and perhaps other Web sites as well, such as Student Life Web and the Parents’ Club, Ruhaak said.

Inspections will take place on 35 to 40 more units over spring break, Ruhaak said. Finley said that number may increase further.

Students are encouraged to ask the city for an inspection if they feel their rental property is unsafe or not up to code, Ruhaak said. Rental inspections check the general condition of rental properties such as electric, wiring, plumbing and heating using the 1998 version of the International Property Maintenance Code, Finley said.

City inspections are provided for free upon request.

The city tried to pass a mandatory rental inspection program last fall, but could not because of the “home rule” stipulation of the Illinois Constitution under which only cities of 25,000 or more can make their own regulations. Cities without home rule must follow state regulations, which state that cities can only enforce a law only if the law exists in the state statutes or constitution.

The city is trying to encourage all landlords to take part in the program, Finley said. Landlords are encouraged to talk to others who have participated as well, he said.

The posted list represents three Charleston landlords, Finley said.

According to a landlord registration file in the Student Government Office, there more than 51 landlords in Charleston, owning at least 256 properties.

Ron Rardin, owner of Ealy’s Real Estate Appraisal and Home Inspection Service and owner of five addresses on the list, said Monday his properties were relatively new and had been inspected throughout the building process.

Rardin said several Charleston landlords, including himself, were in opposition to mandating the rental inspections because it had not been made clear what standards would be used to inspect the properties. However, he said he was in favor of having the voluntary program, because it is important to be sure rental properties are safe.

“Who can argue with safe, functional housing?” he said.

Unique Homes Properties owns four of the addresses on the list.

Yvette Paddock, property manager for Unique Homes, said the properties were inspected because they are extremely nice apartments and are always brought back to like new condition before students move in.