Property owners in Owen Sound can expect to get notes from the city telling them to fix up their homes.
Councillor Deb Haswell says it’s part of the city’s new property check program recently approved by council to begin this year.
Haswell wanted to see the program deferred, but a motion to do so was voted down.
Haswell says during these tough economic times, home owners don’t need another cost levelled at them.
Under the program, by law officers will inspect homes and properties from the street or sidewalk, looking for infractions.
Haswell says the focus will be on health and safety issues such as fallen eaves troughs or porch stairs without railings.
If infractions are found, the officers will leave a note telling the owner to make repairs.
Haswell says the city will be flexible, as long as the property owner calls to explain their individual situation and work out a timeline to fix the problem.
Haswell says ideally she would have liked the program to be put off, as she understands some property owners may not have the money right now to make repairs.
Haswell has another problem with the property check program – she would like it to be targeted, rather than focused on the entire city.
Haswell says she knows some tenant properties and older buildings in the downtown core definitely need work.
Haswell says by law officers are expected to hit the streets this June, with the property checks first conducted in the southwest quadrant of the city.