As Pittsburgh attempts to clean up its act regarding residential rentals, the city's Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) unveiled an initiative last December that could shake up how landlords fulfill their responsibilities. Dubbed the Residential Housing Rental Permit Program, this move towards a rental registry aims to ensure that rental properties aren't just shacks with a price tag.
For now, the city's playing it cool with a voluntary approach to compliance. Landlords can take their time to get with the program, and there's no hammer coming down just yet on those dragging their heels. And here's a little carrot instead of a stick: fees paid up during this easy-going period aren't just donations to the city coffers – they'll count towards the future expenses when PLI gets serious about enforcement, as detailed in an announcement by the City of Pittsburgh.
Speaking of getting serious, though, there's a window of at least a month's heads-up landlords can count on before the rules switch from lax to law. PLI has promised to broadcast updated Rules and Regulations clearly on their webpage and send these to the City Council as a reminder that it's almost game time. Without that clarity, there won't be penalties for those out of step with the program.
