The inspection of residential rental properties in Summit Hill didn’t start at the beginning of the year as planned.

However, borough council President David Wargo said on Monday he anticipates they will start in the first week of May.

“I was very optimistic,” he said regarding early inspections, “but it took some time to get things up to speed.” He said the part-time rental inspection secretary has done “a tremendous job” of formulating a record-keeping system for the inspections.

“We’re at the point to gear-up for the rental inspection program,” he said.

Wargo said he will be meeting with the borough’s engineering firm on Wednesday to get the inspections underway.

A letter was received by the council at Monday’s meeting regarding a property in which an individual specifically purchased it to help someone who needed a place to live. The person living in the residence helps pay some of the bills.

If the owner has to come under the auspices of the ordinance and get a rental license and inspection, the tenant will have to vacate the property by Oct. 1, the letter said.

The council agreed that paying to live in the residence defines it as a rental property.

Discussion then turned to rent-to-own properties. After lengthy discussion on this matter, it was agreed to table it until the council’s next meeting.

Borough resident Jay Zellin complained to council that a neighbor on East White Street added an addition to his house and might be converting it to a bed-and-breakfast.

Wargo said he will inform the zoning officer.

In addition, Wargo said that a B&B wouldn’t be permitted in a residential area unless a zoning variance is obtained. If the B&B occurs without a permit, the zoning officer will issue a cease-and-desist order.

Wargo said the council member Lacey Gonzalez has proposed that regulations be adopted for short-term rentals.

Gonzalez said there’s a gap between the existing rental ordinance and those units with less than 30-day rentals, excluding hotels.

“We don’t want to discourage economic development, but we want it to help the town, not hurt it,” she said.

Wargo said, “We’re trying to be more aggressive that things are getting enforced.”