One major problem in Pottstown is the leadership and codes have "personal" negative opinions about landlords and these "personal" opinions carry over to the job. The negative opinions flow from the top down. When the leadership is against the owners of 45% of the properties in Pottstown, this is the root of this problem. If you have 2 houses with the same code violation, the owner occupied home is overlooked and the rental property is cited for the violation.

I asked Pottstown Patch editor Teresa McMinn to post this opinion piece to Norristown Patch because this a concern in both communities.
I've debated these issues with Mr. Sweetman before, and while he makes several valid points about freedom from unreasonable search, he tends to dismiss the counter argument that these inspections are not "searches" of his personal property but an inspection of the property he occupies by the graces of a government program. I am not in any way saying that enrollment in a government program should forfeit anyone's rights, but that program comes with stipulations.
The inspections are as much for his protection as they are for safety reasons. Municipalities are required to make sure the owners of those properties are maintaining them for the people who live in them – often residents who are vulnerable to landlords who take advantage of their lack of options.
Section 8 renters aren't the only people who's homes are subject to inspections by code enforcement – any property owner who pulls a permit to make repairs or renovations is subject to the same process. Anyone who's home has been the scene of a fire is also going to have code enforcement officials inspecting their personal space.
Norristown's code enforcement department has long been a subject of scorn and ridicule for past corruption and present customer service issues. I'd like to know what residents and developers think. Is our system broken? If so, how can we fix it?

Amendment IV

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." -- The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Hello James. I read this piece earlier in the day, with no time to focus on it, the crux of Mr. Sweetmans' concern was unclear to me. His use of the term "codes enforcement" may be confused with Section 8 inspections that take place on an annual basis? I'm not familiar with Norristown ordinances, perhaps they inspect rentals annually as well.

However, in Pottstown, a rental is inspected by local codes enforcement when there is a change in tenancy before a new tenant has moved in - I believe. Additional codes inspections occur at 5 year intervals if there is no change in occupancy, or if requested by a tenant, when a landlord has failed to address repairs. Section 8 inspects here annually, as in Norristown, and there are discrepancies between the objectives of each inspecting entity, but I've not heard anyone say that they felt their 4th Amendment rights were violated by either agency.

I read your profile and I found this observation particularly piercing: "We're the seat of one of the wealthiest counties in the commonwealth but we are home to some of its poorest residents." I suspect that exclusionary zoning, by wealthier communities in this county, has intentionally or unintentionally contributed to the status quo in our communities, (not to oversimplify a very complex subject).

I am interested in building a bridge with activists in Norristown to share info. & determine a course of action to benefit our communities.

ptownadvocates@hotmail.com

James,

Do not listen to Goldencockroach. This person is a rogue activist who will try to bring you into her negative world. She is not a community leader and has created havoc within the Pottstown community. Beware

"Renters' apartments (are) searched yearly by codes enforcement," This is only if there are several units in one building. Pottstown does however, do an inspection when the residency changes.

Keep in mind though the landlord can have the inspection if the tenant is engaging in unsafe acts, etc. The contract generally states an inspection can be done at any time.

As far as "coverups" - what are they? You have to be more specific. To be honest, I fail to see where there was any violation of privacy.

If you haven't been following other articles in the Pottstown Patch James, Heather, aka Debra Lacava Campbell and Doug Campbell have defaulted on over $2,000,000 worth of income properties between Norrsitown and Pottstown in 2012. Unpaid taxes and municipal liens on many of their properties will, no doubt, be dismissed too.

Today, I received notice that on 4/30/2012 this team of rental property investors filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Her verbose arrogance has served her well.

http://goldencockroach.wordpress.com/

The Deadbeat Landlord Hall of Shame is out today too...Water Shut Offs at rental properties:

http://goldencockroach.wordpress.com/aaa-list-of-deadbeat-slum-property-owners-water-shut-off-notices/

Mr. Sweetman, I agree that trading freedom for safety is a slippery slope and it's easy to go too far. I would always want to err on the side of freedom. That said, we as a society accept that trade off in small ways every day.
I wasn't trying to dismiss your argument – which I believe has valid points – I was merely pointing out the other side of it, which you seem to dismiss out of hand.

It would seem that all properties should be inspected at the same intervals whether they are rental or homeowner property. An inspector should have no right to go through someone's personal effects.

Therer is no problem with inspections for the most part- If you have nothing illegal-(Drugs- illegal firearms or stolen property ) you should not have a problem with it but for the most these home inspections are just the municipal's way of trying to get more tax money and proving I AM THE BOSS- some inspector's are decent but for the other's it is a power struggle- If you own the property and pay for it you should be able to keep it your way as long as there are no health issues and the gov should not have the right to tell you what-where and how you are able to do- Mostly it is all about the MONEY- I have been a small general contractor for a long time and if people would see the permit forms that has to be filled out- it is so stupid- all people have so little to say about anything except to vote-what a laugh look at schools they spend billions on what- to steal people's land and build these ugly things to try to keep up with the jones