Lower Merion Township has been discussing proposed ordinance amendments that would enact new licensing requirements and regulations for student and residential rentals. The proposed ordinance would separate student and nonstudent residential rental licensing regulations and requirements. One important change relates to how violations will be handled, enhancing the ability of staff to take prompt action on violations of township code. Another provision includes the requirement that property owners who do not live in Lower Merion must appoint a property manager who lives within a 10-mile radius. Student rental applicants will be required to identify every student living in the dwelling unit and notify the township of any change to the tenants. Proposed changes include the establishment of an annual licensing period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 for student rental licenses. Nonstudent/residential licenses would have the same licensing period but would change from an annual to a three-year term. The proposed ordinance also offers a defined list of criteria for taking enforcement action against a rental unit and its license and would provide for several enforcement actions that are not currently stated in the code. The proposed ordinance amendment will be included on the agenda for the Building and Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at which time the committee will be asked to consider recommending advertisement to the board of commissioners.
Source: Lower Merion Township