To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the story about landlords’ efforts to stop rental inspections (”Landlords tell Syracuse: If you want to inspect our apartments, get a warrant,” June 26, 2024).
It is shameful that local landlords like Norm Roth, Ben Tupper and William Osuchowski are suing the city of Syracuse to avoid routine inspection of their rental units. These inspections ensure that Syracuse tenants have a safe home, and they protect neighborhoods from the dangers caused by poor maintenance. Lead paint poisons kids. Gas leaks explode. Clogged pipes cause sewer backups. These are just a few of the many documented effects of poor maintenance in Syracuse’s rental housing.
Responsible landlords would address these problems without the need for city code enforcement. If the landlords behind this lawsuit are taking good care of their properties, then they have nothing to worry about from a routine inspection. But the facts on the ground show that plenty of Syracuse landlords do not take care of their properties, so the city needs a way to enforce basic maintenance standards.
Growing up in the restaurant industry, I know that health and safety inspections are good for business. These inspections let customers know that we are taking good care of them, they help identify potential issues before they become serious problems, and they prevent less scrupulous businesses from cutting corners. The restaurant industry is better off for working with local government to keep customers safe and healthy, and landlords will be, too.
Sally Santangelo
Executive Director
CNY Fair Housing
Syracuse