Hey Conway Landlords, Brace Yourselves for the Inspection Storm!
Conway's rental landscape is about to get rocky. The town has rolled out a mandatory rental license program. Yes, despite the green light from voters on Article 24, not everyone's on board with the whole "big brother" vibe.
The aim? To keep renters out of harm's way. Noble, sure, but many are asking at what cost—and whose expense? This new program is diving into life safety checks, rooted in the New Hampshire Life Safety Code, which is stirring up quite the pot.
Here's what's on the town's inspection hit list:
- Smoke and CO detectors that actually work (and are not tucked in kitchen drawers).
- Fire escape plans.
- Fire suppression gear.
- Wiring that doesn't double as a potential fireworks show.
- Overall safety that ensures tenants aren't signing a lease with danger.
Now, don't get me wrong—I'm all for keeping people safe. But there's chatter that this inspection spree might just be the tip of the iceberg. Some landlords are riled up, murmuring about privacy, the hassle, and the 'what-ifs' of finding issues.
Privacy? Yeah, the town says they'll respect it. But you tell me, how cozy does it feel knowing inspectors will be peeking into every nook and cranny of your property?
And what happens if they find something? They say they'll play nice, working with you to fix things up "reasonably." But that's a word that can bend in the wind, and some landlords are bracing for a mess.
The program is administered by Nicholas DeVito, the Zoning Officer. You'll need to call him up at (603) 447-3811 to get on the inspection schedule.
Now, here’s the kicker: this could all end up in a legal tangle. There's talk of disputes and challenges that could drag this out in the courts over the next couple of years. It’s not just about safety anymore—it's about legal rights, property ownership, and where the line gets drawn.