By Bob Kinzel

“(Host) After nearly four hours of debate, and numerous roll call votes, the House has given its approval to a bill that creates a statewide data base for all rental units in Vermont and it establishes minimum safety standards for these units.

The vote on the bill was 88 to 51.

South Burlington Representative Helen Head is the chairwoman of the House General, Housing and Military Affairs committee. She says it’s critical to identify all rental units in the state:

(Head) “Only properties with five or more units are specifically noted as rental property. Approximately 40 percent of state rental stock is between 2 and 4 units. Many municipalities already track and record this information, although we did hear from some listers that they felt this would constitute an additional burden.”

(Host) Lowell Representative Mark Higley has been a lister for 16 years.  He thinks the legislation will place many local listers in a very difficult position…”

Source: vpr.net, March 19, 2010

Full story: House Passes Housing Data Base Bill

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