NORWICH – On March 13, the City of Norwich Common Council passed an amendment to Chapter 50 of the City Code, which details minimum standards for housing. The amendment included their long discussed rental registration program. Now, more than half way to the registration deadline, city officials say the program is off to a good start.

The rental registry calls for non-owner occupied or vacant rental dwelling units to participate in the registration. Landlords have to provide a name, address, and a telephone number where they can be reached at all times. In addition, rental property owners could be asked to provide a local contact, to act on their behalf, in the event they cannot be reached.

Landlords have until May 30 to register with the city, free of charge. After the May 30 deadline, registration fees of $5 for a single family, $10 for a two family, $15 for a three family and an additional $1 for each additional unit will be charged. In addition, failure to comply with the terms of the rental registration and the rest of Chapter 50 could result in fines ranging from $250 and $1,000.

According to information received from city hall, rental registration forms have been sent to every residence in the city. Some people expressed confusion over whether or not they were required to register, but according to the terms of the amended Chapter 50, only non-owner occupied rental dwellings need to be fill out and return the registration forms.