Peru Alderman suggests creating rental registry

It’s not unusual for a rental property owner to live out-of-town or even out-of-state.  An alderman in Peru wants the city to create a registry for rental properties so city officials will know who owns what.

Alderman Rodney Perez brought up the idea Wednesday night.  He says he would like to see it begin with multi-unit properties.  The city already has a list of owners of vacant properties.

Perez says he thinks the registry would help in situations like they have with the owner of an apartment house on Cross Street.  The place was badly damaged by fire earlier and is a non conforming use.  He says a registry would allow the city to know when properties like that are bought and sold and the owners could be contacted.

Building Inspector Frank Taylor was given a copy of suggested fees and guidelines.

Whether or not the council does anything with the idea remains to be seen.