RENOVO — In an effort to prevent a possible slumlord situation from developing, Renovo Borough Council adopted an ordinance titled Renovo Borough Rental Inspection, which calls for people that rent properties to have a four-category, 36-point inspection performed by borough code enforcement officer, Joe Lyons.

Specifically, the ordinance is meant to ensure that rental units “meet all applicable building, fire, health, safety and zoning codes and to provide an efficient system for compelling both absentee and local landlords to correct violations and maintain, in proper condition, rental properties within the Renovo Borough.”

Although nobody challenged the intent of the new ordinance during council’s meeting Wednesday, for nearly an hour three local property owners and landlords spoke in frustration, saying they felt caught up unfairly in the crosshairs of the new ordinance.

Carl and Pam Gentzyel, Kraig Barner and Rodney Aldinger all expressed disagreement with the ordinance, noting numerous properties that have issues ranging from trash in the yards and cluttered porches all the way to caving roofs and burned-out buildings.

The owners repeatedly tried to drive home the point that they must pay the $75 fee now for the inspections and then make needed repairs, while other violations have been obvious for years and are often met with verbal warnings or $10 fines.

The inspection fees are $75 per unit, each additional unit in that same structure is an additional $50. Inspections are to be completed every two years.

The proprietors pressed that you can drive through town and see multiple, blatant violations from homeowners that wouldn’t pass the inspection that they are now subjected to.

Barner also said that he will do the right thing, but questioned if anything would be done by other housing providers that have “thrown the letter in trash.”

Council finds themselves in an odd position in many aspects regarding the situation. The ordinance was adopted in December of 2025 and many new faces sit on the council now.

Still, they tried to explain that they have to start somewhere in regards to cleaning up around the town.

Council President John Simon offered they are trying to prevent slumlords from out-of-town not taking care of their property, adding if the owners are in compliance, they have nothing to worry about.

Tracy Bruno, who was not on council when the ordinance was adopted, often agreed with those in the gallery, even adding she feels that the fees are set too high.

Mayor Justin Lynn said that a mechanism of this ordinance that will separate the people taking care of their properties from those that don’t, is that those that don’t pass the inspection and then do not make an effort to correct the situation, will have their property deemed uninhabitable and will no longer be able rent.

Additionally, new ordinance officer and council member, Dave Walker, said he has already begun processes that will lead to action on many of the dangers and eye sores that can currently be seen throughout the borough.