Several policy mechanisms can greatly enhance the effectiveness of housing code enforcement as a tool to empower tenants and communities.

Require Tenant Involvement

Housing code enforcement is a more effective tool where the affected tenants are made a part of the process.  Every jurisdiction should make it a policy to regularly consult tenants and their representatives regarding enforcement.  The tenants are a source of valuable information to the enforcement agencies.  As beneficiaries of the agencies' efforts, they can help ensure the most beneficial resolutions.

Make Transfer of Ownership A Regular Goal of Housing Code Enforcement

One challenge communities will always face when utilizing housing code enforcement as a tool is convincing the enforcing agency to remove buildings from irresponsible owners.  If such a priority can be made a regular aspect of housing code enforcement, a substantial barrier will be cleared.

Ensure Regular Code Enforcement

One reason buildings fall into disrepair and communities decline is the failure of governments to enforce housing codes.  Periodic inspection of all buildings will increase the likelihood that the affordable housing stock will be maintained in better conditions.  Regular housing code enforcement will also decrease the likelihood of the city to engage in selective and discriminatory code enforcement.

Direct Government Resources to Preserving Affordable Housing in Revitalizing Neighborhoods

Tenants that do become owners of dilapidated buildings require substantial financial assistance.  Accordingly, governments should be urged to give top priority to grants and loans in support of tenant ownership.

Maintain Database of Housing Code Violations

The ability to utilize code enforcement depends, in part, on the amount of information available to tenants and communities regarding code violations.  A private or public entity maintaining a database of all housing code violations (see Neighborhood Knowledge Los Angeles , a project of the University of California at Los Angeles) enables communities to target the use of code enforcement to the problem buildings where substantial fines and penalties could be imposed. 

Tenant Right of First Refusal Laws

Some landlords may attempt to sell their buildings to avoid the code enforcement authorities.  In the Washington, D.C. tenants have a right to meet or beat any offer that is made on their property.  This prevents landlords from excluding tenants from the process.  Similar laws in other jurisdictions would increase the effectiveness of this tool.

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