Assn. Files Suit Against Rental Registration Law

The Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh has filed suit asking that the city of Pittsburgh not be allowed to implement a new rental unit registration ordinance. Under the ordinance landlords must pay a $12-per-unit fee and provide information about the renters. There is also a $65 occupancy permit fee. This all must be done by April 1. It also stipulates that the owner or the manager of the rental property must live in Pennsylvania. Association Acting Executive Director Jim Eichenlaub says the ordinance runs contrary to the US and PA constitutions’ equal protection clauses, it does not provide for due process and it violates the privacy rights of both the landlord and the tenants. The measure does not allow for an appeal process following a building inspection. Eichenlaub says this amounts to an illegal tax. The suit asks for an injunction to put the ordinance on hold. The case will be argued next week.