City considers rental inspection program

(RECAP: The city of Richmond is considering the creation an inspection program for rental properties in old areas of the city, a policy that could have a major impact on the 56 percent of city housing occupied by renters. The rental inspections would apply in special districts created by the city with a high volume of renters and a risk of blight. As envisioned, the program would focus on student-heavy historic neighborhoods such as the Fan District, Oregon Hill, Jackson Ward and Carver, but the exact districts would be drawn later by city officials. A survey conducted by the Virginia Municipal League last year found that 22 Virginia localities have rental inspection programs.)