Lehighton continues to eye a proposed rental inspection ordinance.

Borough council briefly reviewed the topic last week with borough solicitor Jim Nanovic.

It was agreed to amend some of the wording in the ordinance, which Nanovic said he would change and bring back for next month’s meeting.

In February, Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she would like to see the municipality consider rental property inspections to fight blight.

It was stated at that time there are just under 1,200 rental properties in the borough, and Abelovsky added the inspections would ensure the minimum safety requirements are in place.

Borough Manager Steve Travers said at that time the problem would be the cost to enforce the program if the borough were to use an outside firm, which would drive up costs.

Travers said at that time the borough could have an in-house person do the work, which he said is probably the easiest way to keep the cost down.

Councilman Ryan Saunders said at that time there’s big quality of life issues at the properties that they’re renting, and believes the borough should do it in-house.

Travers said at that time the easiest way to start the program is to keep it simple in the beginning.

He added it does help in that it keeps the fire calls down and makes rental units safer for those living there.

Travers said that if done right, the program can pay for itself.