ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque City Councilors unanimously passed a resolution aimed at protecting renters by connecting them with affordable legal services ensuring landlords comply with housing regulations. “When I talk to folks in the community they feel alone. They want to do things like take this through the court system, but they have no idea how to do so and quite frankly they do not have the money to start that because something as simple and straight forward as, you haven’t provided me with running water for three months, costs money to start in the court system,” said City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn.
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The initiative will establish a designated code enforcement officer tasked with holding landlords accountable for neglecting basic living conditions. Councilor fiebelkorn sponsored the legislation and said the effort is designed to reduce the burden on tenants who might otherwise have to go through the court system, which can get expensive quick. The assigned officer will be responsible for fielding calls, issuing citations, and ensuring renters know their rights. Common complaints include: a lack of locks on doors, no heating, unresolved plumbing. These are problems that already fall under city code but often go unaddressed. Recent data from the city’s 311 system shows that in just three months, more than 5,000 calls have been related to housing concerns. “So R-25-120 is proof that this council does understand that people are more valuable than property. That property are things that are temporary and human beings are eternal,” said Lisa Christopherson, PhD, concerned citizen.
The city now needs to find a qualified person to fill the roll…