Sherman considering a rental property inspection program

The rental property registration program would require frequent inspections to ensure properties are safe for residents.

SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) - The Sherman City Council is considering adopting a rental property inspection program as part of an ongoing city clean-up initiative.

City of Sherman Spokesperson, Nate Strauch, said in a meeting on Tuesday, the city council members began discussing the program.

“As it stands right now, what the city is proposing is kind of a rental registration program,” Strauch said.

Rental property owners would register their properties with the city. Sherman would then inspect properties in between tenants or yearly to ensure each rental property is up to code and safe for residents.

“The city would have a checklist anytime we went into an apartment or something like that,” Strauch said, “Making sure that the HVAC system is fully functional and that it’s safe is really high on that list.”

Strauch said this is a priority because the city does not want residents to go without heat or electricity.

“As well as kind of just some structural issues,” Strauch said, “Is the building in good shape? Are there holes in the wall? Is this side of the wall falling off?”

If a property did not pass, the landlord would have a set amount of time to make changes. Strauch said this would all help ensure the properties are well maintained.

“To make sure that the community, the whole community has a nice, safe place to live,” Strauch said.

Sherman City Council Members are still determining the specific details of the program.

“The council will have to decide if that only applies to multifamily, or if that applies to all rentals in the city,” Strauch said.

A similar proposal in Denison in 2019 was met with resistance from property owners before eventually a simplified program was adopted.

For Sherman, the council members will have to finalize details and decide if a rental inspection program will be adopted.

Both will be discussed, and action could be taken, in the February 5 meeting.