Rental issues

Growth in Southeast Missouri State University's enrollment and other factors have increased the demand in Cape Girardeau for affordable housing. Property owners are trying to maximize their profitability by renting spaces to as many individuals as possible. Under the city's current ordinances, up to five unrelated people are permitted to occupy a house in a neighborhood zoned for single-family homes, like much of the area around the university.

For the past year the Planning and Zoning Commission has been looking at ways to safeguard renters, landlords and nearby property owners after city officials received several complaints. As commission chairman William Hinckley put it: "This is not a simple matter."

Complaints come in all forms. Some renters say their landlords don't adequately maintain the houses they rent. Some landlords complain that lower occupancy limits -- it's three unrelated people in Springfield, Columbia and Jackson -- would undercut their return on investment. And some neighbors of rental units complain about noise and other nuisances at houses rented to large numbers of students.

Two things the P&Z commission might want to consider are whether rental houses are fit for occupancy and whether there is adequate parking for five occupants and their guests. Occupancy considerations might include something as simple as a safety and building code checklist or something as complex as a full inspection that results in the issuance of an occupancy permit. Parking considerations should take into account access for emergency vehicles on streets with rental units and whether parking should be permitted on both side of the street or limited to just one side. Some cities require off-street parking for rental houses.

Yes, it's a complex issue, but the P&Z commission is right to weigh all the options. Keeping requirements at a minimum while providing the most protection to everyone concerned is a good goal.