Landlords will pay more for rental licenses in Lansford.

Meeting in special session Tuesday night, council voted unanimously to raise the fee from $100 to $150 per year.

One of the reasons for the raise was that Bill McMullen, of ARRO Engineering, who will be enforcing the licenses, said $100 isn’t enough to enforce the licenses over the 740 rental units the borough has.

“There’s a lot more leg work than you think,” McMullen said. “Two letters have to be sent, a letter of inspection and a certificate of inspection. There’s enforcement, registration and inspection.”

Resident Joe Genitis said Lehighton Borough’s rental inspection fee is $150. Council President Bruce Markovich said if the fee were $150, $125 could go to ARRO, and $25 to the borough. Markovich said there were 32 investigations among 144 complaints in 2023.

Councilman Jay Doyle pointed out landlords will all types of units will be charged the same amount for the license.

McMullen told council he wasn’t sure if the $150 would be enough. Markovich asked him to keep council informed.