FAQs • Opelika, AL • CivicEngage

My corporate office is not local. What source of payments will we need to provide for this. Is this Net 30 as checks again only come out of our corporate office?: Payment is required at registration. You can mail in a check with your registration form. Once the online system is active, you can make these payments online .

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Rental Ordinance

1. I understand that this is something that has to be completed this year before 12/30/2021. Could you please explain how we register the units?: A paper registration form is on our website if you wish to use it to register your units. Units are required to be registered by January 1, 2022. We are in the process of implementing an online registration system. It should be up and running before January 1.

2. Registering is something that we will have to do every year during the dates provided, correct?: Yes, the ordinance requires yearly registration of each unit, each year.

3. My corporate office is not local. What source of payments will we need to provide for this. Is this Net 30 as checks again only come out of our corporate office?: Payment is required at registration. You can mail in a check with your registration form. Once the online system is active, you can make these payments online .

4. If we currently have HUD/REAC inspections every so many years, which are scheduled per passing on prior inspections, is this ordinance something we still have to do?: Yes, this is still required.

5. When and how is the $50 inspection fee paid?: Inspection fees are required at the time of inspection request. The online portal will allow you to schedule inspection and pay fees.

6. How will scheduling inspections be processed and what is the the turnaround time for them to be completed?: You will be able to select a time and date for the inspection yourself. We intend to complete all inspections the day they are scheduled.

7. Is it correct to say that the only time that a unit is inspected is when the unit becomes VACANT? No inspections will be performed while a unit is occupied?: The units are only inspected when vacant and no more than once every three years. If it does not become vacant (occupied by the same tenant), it will not require an inspection. Even if it becomes vacant, and it was inspected within the last three years, no inspection is required. Inspections based on tenant complaints will not be charged inspection fees.

8. Why does the city need an agent residing in Lee County as the contact for a property?: We need a local contact to be able to meet us and open the rental units for inspections.

9. As far as inspectors that come out to the property, is there a way that someone could be trained or learn how to perform these tasks for their own property where they physically work?: City personnel are required by ordinance to complete all inspecitions. Your personnel can follow our simple checklist above to check for compliance prior to scheduling inspection.

Below is the link for the code. However, we have reduced some of the restrictions in the code. The checklist is your best resource.