During a Health and Welfare Committee meeting in Warren Tuesday evening, Deputy Health Commissioner John May and city leaders discussed expanding the workforce for rental property inspections.

"What we're looking for is to increase our frequency with regard to inspecting rental properties throughout the city of Warren, and by doing that, we may have to increase some of our rental rates," May said. 

May told 21 News that there has been roughly a 10 to 15% increase in complaints from tenants. Some complaints include household utilities not being repaired promptly and safe and sanitary concerns. He said one of those complaints is a complex with several units without heat.

The health department has one inspector on staff. During the meeting, May asked the city for two additional full time housing inspectors.

"Every four years, we would hope to have all of the properties inspected on a revolving schedule," May said.

Within that four year cycle, May believes they will be able to inspect more than 6,000 rental properties.

Councilwoman at Large Helen Rucker agreed to draft legislation and bring it to city council for further discussion and development. Specifically they want to create a strategy that would motivate landlords to ensure residents have safe and clean places to live.

After the meeting concluded, Councilman Andrew Herman told 21 News the he liked the proposal, but before voting in favor of it, he has one requirement if the rental rates are increased.

"The inspection fees that are being collected now are not being used to do rental inspections, and I think that they should be earmarked and set aside to do either rental inspections or we could use this money to fight the blight that affects our city," Herman said.

City leaders said the meeting is the beginning of a multi-step process.