Houghton City Council Looking At Rental License Process For R-1 Residential Neighborhoods

The Houghton City Council says they will look into ways they can better enforce rules regarding rental properties in the city’s residential areas.

Several residents attended a public hearing of the Rental Housing Board Wednesday, held just before the regular council meeting.

At issue was a proposed rental license for a home on Ninth Avenue in a R1 zoned neighborhood.

City ordinance requires a rental license but limits them to allowing only two unrelated people to rent the home.

Homes that have more renters either have a license that was grandfathered in or are simply not obeying the law.

City Manager Eric Waara said he has been in conversation with the city attorney about ways they can make sure rental properties do not have a negative impact on neighborhoods.

The rental license for the Ninth Avenue home was approved.