864.01 DEFINITIONS.
As used in this chapter:
(a) “Business unit” means a parcel of real estate, with or without improvements located thereon and utilized by any person or persons for any commercial activity or purpose.
(b) “Dwelling unit” means one or more rooms used for living and sleeping purposes, arranged for occupancy by one or more persons.
(c) “Landlord” means a lessor, or a person who acts as agent for a lessor, of any parcel of real estate located in the Township, or a lessor, or person who acts as agent for a lessor, of any improvements on real estate or buildings located in the Township.
(d) “Person” means any individual, partnership, association, firm or corporation.
(e) “Rental unit” means a business unit or a dwelling unit.
(f) “Tenant” means a person who has the use, either by himself or herself or with others, of a dwelling unit or business unit owned by a person other than himself or herself, for a period exceeding 30 days.
864.02 REPORTS BY LANDLORDS
Within 30 days of the effective date of this chapter, and on an annual basis thereafter, on or before November 10th of each year, covering the immediately preceding period of October 1st through September 30th, each landlord shall submit the following information, in writing, to the Township Secretary, on a form available at the Township Office:
(a) A list of all dwelling units and business units owned, operated or controlled by the landlord and located within the Township, whether occupied or unoccupied;
(b) The address of each dwelling unit or business unit;
(c) A brief description of each dwelling unit or business unit, including the number of rooms, approximate square footage and facilities located therein;
(d) A statement as to whether or not said dwelling unit or business unit is inhabited or utilized by a tenant or tenants; and
(e) The names of the tenant or tenants utilizing the aforementioned dwelling units or business units, if any, and their respective addresses.
864.03 REPORTS BY NEW LANDLORDS
After the effective date of this chapter, any person who becomes a landlord of any parcel of real estate, improvement on real estate or building located in the Township shall, within thirty days of becoming a landlord, file a report as required by Section 864.02.
864.04 REPORTS OF CHANGES IN USE OR OCCUPANCY
After the effective date of this chapter, each and every landlord of property within the Township shall report to the Township Secretary, on a form available at the Township Office, any change in the use or occupancy of any dwelling unit or business unit owned by such landlord. The reported change shall include the name or names of new tenants of such dwelling unit or business unit, the date when such change was effected, and the forwarding address of the prior tenant or tenants, if known. In the event that a dwelling unit or business unit becomes vacant, such change shall be reported. Said report shall be filed not later than 30 days after any such change should occur. A landlord of a hotel, inn or boarding house shall not be required to report a person as a tenant until that person has resided in such landlord’s establishment for a period in excess of 30 days.
864.05 DUTIES OF TOWNSHIP SECRETARY
The Township Secretary shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Maintaining a file at the Township Building setting forth the names of all landlords owning, operating or controlling dwelling units or business units in the Township and a list of the current tenants of said dwelling units and business units.
(b) Maintaining a supply of forms necessary for the reports as required herein.
(c) Notifying the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief of the address and description of any dwelling unit or business unit that is vacant, unoccupied or not in use.
864.99 PENALTY
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for any initial offense and a fine of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) for any second or subsequent offense(s) occurring within a 24 month period. In addition, any such violator shall be obligated to pay the costs and expenses of prosecution, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees.