Several Lehighton landlords have taken borough officials to task over a newly adopted rental inspection program.

Darcy Caruso told borough council on Monday that there are landlords, such as herself in the borough who have put money back into their properties.

Borough manager Dane DeWire said he understood Caruso’s concerns, but that ultimately, it was about making the borough’s rentals safer for borough residents.

Councilman Ryan Saunders said that if landlords meet all the safety issues, then they don’t have to meet the inspection checklist.

Caruso said she understood, but added that “it’s just very frustrating” because she works very hard to keep things in good shape.

DeWire said the borough can’t target one set of landlords, and assured that it hasn’t taken the matter lightly.

“We’re not trying to go into this heartlessly,” DeWire said. “Each case, we’re looking at individually.”

But, Duke Blauch, who said he’s been a landlord for 40 years, questioned the approach taken by the borough.

DeWire countered that it’s about the safety of the borough residents, and that if he notices any issues, to report them.

Blauch said he couldn’t understand how the borough can say that when it has its own issues with the borough hall building and the borough Annex.

“This place is a dump,” Blauch said. “Look at yourself before you come looking (at me).”

Saunders said this is just the start of the process, and that if they see issues, they are more than welcome to fill them out.

Blauch reiterated that what the borough is requiring of him as a landlord should also go for them as well.

“If this is your house, this isn’t passing,” he said. “And you’re coming after me and your places aren’t even up to code.”

Jennifer Dages, also a landlord, said she believes that the ordinance goes against the Pennsylvania Constitution.

“I’ve spoken to my tenants; they are very upset about this,” Dages said. “You’re penalizing the good landlords for the bad landlords.”

However, borough solicitor Jim Nanovic told Dages that these tenant registration ordinances have not been struck down anywhere else that he’s aware of.

Ben and Miranda Wommer are also landlords and said they disagree with the ordinance.

“This is an old town,” Ben Wommer said. “I think it’s (expletive).”

Miranda added that good landlords, such as she and her husband, may have to look to increase the rent they charge.

The borough hopes to have all of the borough’s rental units inspected between now and 2025.

The fee schedule was set by council last month, allowing it to begin advertising the inspection program, and the application process and applications were sent out with bills to all residents.

Council in April unanimously agreed to amend the rental inspection ordinance and advertise it for adoption.

Before that vote, DeWire noted that the rental inspection fee would remain $75, and that a $50, discounted rate, would be given to high-density housing owners with 10 or more units.

Additionally he said at that time, the program was also changed from a one-year to a two-year inspection program so that inspections are not going to be required every year.

In addition, DeWire said that all of the borough’s rental unit inspections will be guided by the International Property Maintenance Code.

DeWire said at that time that the borough doesn’t want to profit from or take a hit, and added it’s 100% break-even.

Craig Kovacs, owner of Victory Estates Apartments and Townhomes, said at that time he was glad to see it going from one year to two years.

Kovacs said he was for the rental inspections.

However, resident/business owner Dennis Blocker questioned how the borough would get absentee landlords.

In July, council adopted the ordinance, which Nanovic said at that time, probably wouldn’t be implemented for several months.