Since DeKalb’s heavily debated landlord-tenant ordinance went into effect Nov. 26, 5,986 units have been registered with the DeKalb City Clerk’s office, in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 10, “Landlord-Tenant Regulations.”

The ordinance required all landlords affected to register within 120 days.

“It took a while for us to figure out who needed to register but it has come together very well,” city clerk Donna Johnson said.

Landlord registration, which is required only for landlords who own three or more units, is handled by assistant city clerk Tonya Christensen. She helps make the registration process run smoothly for landlords. But doing so has had its ups and downs.

“A very small group of landlords have been difficult getting to register, but a vast majority have been very nice about registering,” Christensen said. “We’ve even been getting calls from people who do not fall under the ordnance, just wanting to be sure.”

According to the ordinance’s policy declaration, it’s designed to “protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens, to establish rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant in the rental units in the city and encourage the landlord and the tenant resolve disputes and to maintain and improve the quality of rental housing.”

This, however, does not mean that every dispute between a landlord and tenant automatically violates the ordinance.

“Often many of those who call me concerning what they think are violations of the ordinance are actually involved in civil matters,” Johnson said. “I recommend that students who have a complaint should contact the Student Legal Assistance Office (753-1701). I also think that before you sign a lease, read it.”

When it comes to public health and safety, Johnson considers the registry of landlords and their property a great asset.

“Maintaining this list helps in community development and the application of community services,” she said. “It provides good information for fire, police and emergency services to use to answer calls and decide where to place things like fire stations.”

But having this list doesn’t mean it’s to be used by solicitors.

“This registry will not be given out for commercial purposes,” Johnson said.

Issues involving the landlord-tenant agreement can be handled by specific city departments. When a landlord and tenant feel confident that a violation of the ordinance has occurred, they should contact DeKalb’s Legal Division at 748-2093.

Any new landlords or former landlords of registered property should contact Christensen at 748-2089. Information about renting and leasing property is available in the city clerk’s office, 200 S. Fourth St.