Rental Housing / Negligent Property Program

The Rental Housing Ordinance regulates leased housing and will work alongside the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and revised Building and Standards ordinance. Many rental properties in Cleburne are well cared for and therefore are unlikely to see a difference in how they currently operate. The program will typically impact only those properties that fail to meet city codes and are not maintained in a safe condition.

The ordinance is designed to ensure safe and healthy housing available for renters. This includes the introduction of the Negligent Property Program (NPP). 

The process begins with a complaint. Complaints against a leased/let property may be filed by any party. A complaint triggers an inspection by a code official, which can lead to documented violations if left uncorrected by the property owner.

A property with three or more documented violations in a 12-month period shall be deemed a negligent property and be enrolled in the NPP. Properties in the NPP pay a yearly $100 registration fee and properties in the NPP will be re-inspected for the correction of violations. The NPP registration period shall be for a minimum of 24 months from the date the certificate of compliance has been issued, indicating all code violations have been abated.

In addition, it is unlawful for a tenant to maliciously vandalize a rental property. Marshals or Code Enforcement Officers can issue citations to the tenant/renter that can result in a court fine and/or restitution for the damage.

View the Rental Housing Ordinance and Negligent Property Program ordinance here.