City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
The Code Compliance Division of the Neighborhood Services Department has reported a significant rise in tenant inspection requests and housing inspection cases in 2023. This trend, which began in 2021, has continued to create a heavy workload for the department.
Tenant inspection requests are made by tenants in rental units who require inspections, while housing inspection cases involve complaints regarding exterior structures, fire damaged properties, and referrals from the Fire Department for various observed issues such as carbon monoxide problems, fire alarm malfunctions, or frozen/leaking pipes.
One particular apartment complex, the Champaign Park Apartment (CPA) complex, has been responsible for a substantial number of these inspection requests and cases in both 2022 and 2023. Even when excluding the CPA cases, the number of tenant inspection cases is nearly double the ten-year average from 2011 to 2020, and the housing inspection cases have more than doubled the same ten-year average.
The statistics for tenant inspection requests and housing inspection cases are as follows:
- Tenant Inspection Requests:
- 2023: 319
- 2022: 374
- 2021: 247
- 10-Year Average (2013-2022): 185
- 10-Year Average (2011-2020, Non-CPA): 293
- Housing Inspection Cases:
- 2023: 255
- 2022: 305
- 2021: 273
- 10-Year Average (2013-2022): 193
- 10-Year Average (2011-2020, Non-CPA): 249
The month of January, historically a slow month for tenant inspection requests, has also seen a surge in numbers. In both January 2023 and January 2024, there were unusually high levels of tenant inspection requests. Even when removing the tenant inspection requests from the Champaign Park Apartment (CPA) Complex, the number of requests exceeds the five-year average from 2018 to 2022.
The statistics for tenant inspection requests in January are as follows:
- January 2024: 41
- January 2023: 50
- January 2022: 21
- 5-Year Average (2018-2022, Non-CPA): 38
The increase in tenant inspection requests and housing inspection cases indicates a growing concern for code compliance in rental units and the overall condition of housing properties. The Neighborhood Services Department is dedicated to addressing and resolving these issues in order to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
As the number of cases continues to rise, it is crucial for both tenants and property owners to prioritize code compliance and promptly address any issues that may arise. By doing so, they contribute to the overall improvement of the community and the quality of housing available.
The Neighborhood Services Department encourages tenants to report any concerns they may have regarding the condition of their rental units, while property owners are urged to proactively maintain and address any potential code violations. Through collaboration and diligence, the community can work together to create a safe and livable environment for all residents.
Sources:
- Code Compliance Division, Neighborhood Services Department
Alerts Sign-up