Lehighton has adopted a rental inspection ordinance.

Council approved the measure on a 6-0 vote Monday. Councilwoman Rebecca Worthy was absent.

Borough solicitor Jim Nanovic said that the ordinance probably wouldn’t be implemented for several months.

Afterward, Craig Kovacs, owner of Victory Estates Apartments & Townhomes, said he supports the ordinance, and believes it’s a great thing for the community.

However, Kovacs expressed that his biggest concern is the cost, as they have 63 units that are occupied by mostly senior citizen tenants.

The inspections will be on a yearly basis, with a discount to larger apartment buildings/complexes such as Victory Estates, the Lehighton Elderly Apartments and the Gardens of Gypsy Hill.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said the cost would be $150, while the reduced cost would be $100 per unit.

But, Kovacs said that was “still a big (chunk) of change in my mind.”

In February, 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 that minimum safety requirements are in place.