Property Damage Could Lead to Jail
By FRED CONNORSArticle Photos
Fact Box
The Upper Ohio Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Landlord Association meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the New Life Methodist Church, located at the corner of Ohio and South Broadway streets on Wheeling Island.
If a group of local landlords have their way, renters who damage property may end up in prison.
Jerry Kopyar, president of the Upper Ohio Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Landlord Association. said Senate Bill 163 has been written, but has stalled within the West Virginia legislature.
"The bill criminalizes destruction of property by renters," Kopyar said. "If it is passed, persons who cause between $300 and $1,000 damage to a dwelling could be charged with a misdemeanor calling for up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Damages over $1,000 would be considered a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000."
He said one focus of UOVLA is to lobby state lawmakers to bring SB 163 into law.
"It's written, but it has stalled somewhere in the Senate," Kopyar said. "We want to find out where it is stalled and get it moving."
Kopyar's comments came Sunday during UOVLA's first membership held at the Wheeling Island Community Shelter on Wheeling Island.
He said WVLA's goal is to help landlords deal with landlord/tenant issues and to pursue legislation that provides fairness in taxation and representation.
According to Kopyar, members can network with investors, landlords and property managers to learn from their experiences. They can also learn about legal responsibilities of owning and managing rental property and attend monthly meetings to hears speakers discuss subjects of interest to members.
UOVLA meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the New Life Methodist Church located at the corner of Ohio and South Broadway streets on Wheeling Island.
Also at Sunday's event was Mark Roberts, UOVLA's membership chairman, who said the group had 40 members prior to Sunday, but membership could double as a result of the membership drive.
"There about 60 new faces here today," Roberts said. "I would not be surprised if our membership doubles."
Roberts said UOVLA's exposure helps gain new members.
He said "a lot of people don't know about us. When they find out, they become very interested."
According to Roberts, membership is not limited to West Virginia landlords.
More information is available at 304-547-5596, 304-233-0618 or 740-695-3712.
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Michele
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09-08-08 6:47 PM
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judylynn: cudos to you!!! I think that your concern for the houses that these landlords own should also be kept up for appearances too. I live in another part of our great city and I see that (one example)HUD!! They get the money (some up to $600.00) and do NO REPAIRS to the outer part of the home! Most of these places are never seen by the landloard. I just feel that the landloards can't have it both ways. Whatever happend to beautifying the city? Hello..City so called council, get on the ball!!
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theRev
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09-08-08 5:31 PM
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just a side note there are currently over 200 houses for sale in wheeling
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SphinxRising58
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09-08-08 1:41 PM
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craftylady2008: Exactly, as well I can see what property owners are comming from, there is also the issue of clumlords who only take the money ( rent ) & run, doing very little if any repairs on rental units. Glad to see at least one person knows what is going on around here, as we have just as many slum loards as we have bad tenants.
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rockdrummer
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09-08-08 10:44 AM
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As a landlord, I do agree that we share some responsibility for the property. And I'll tell you who my best assets are... the neighbors. If you know who owns a property, and have a friendly relationship with that person, call them and tell them what's going on there. But remember, there is only so much we can legally do.
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fedup2
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09-08-08 9:30 AM
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I agree with Judylynn. The Island is a CESSPOOL for Slumlords! I hope that this association will rid the problem of Tennants and Landlords who don't give a*****about the many properties they inhabit or own. What do they care about the properites? The Tennant doesn't own them and some of the landlords live nowhere near them! What's worse is that the people that actually take care of their properties are the ones who suffer!
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kmd0302
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09-08-08 8:49 AM
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Let's look at all the property around town with the old and black for lease signs, this is a "prominant" person buying it all up and just leaving it to rot. Look on Mt de Chantal road at least thre to four properties with grass all over the place ,some in deriable condition others just ok. I can sit on my backporch and witness the deplorable one with grass all over the place, it's depressing. A neighbor has had to trim the hedges because it was unsafe for him to back out cars.That's a slum landlord
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kmd0302
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09-08-08 8:43 AM
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I must say as a lanlord for over 15 years only once did I have a problem with a tenant and they never had a problem with me. You must screen your tenants carefully and as the landlord require once a month inspections. The tenants don't have a problem with it and you won't either. Being a landlord comes with a lot once I had to go and identify a body, apparently he died in his sleep and no family close by . It's all in days work.I think you should want your rental property to look as nice as your own home not just a place to collect the MONEY
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judylynn
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09-08-08 8:40 AM
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LOOK AROUND WHEELING ISLAND PEOPLE SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY FOR DAMAGES TO RENTAL PROPERTY ALSO LANDLOARDS SHOULD BE MADE BY THE CITY KEEP THEIR PROPERTY UP LOOK AROUND HERE ON THE ISLAND THAT REALLY NEEDS ADDRESSED!!!
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craftylady2008
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09-08-08 7:14 AM
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Slum lords should also do jail time and/or be fined for charging outrageous rent and not making repairs or improvements but then it's all about landlords making money. Every tenant should be given a copy of a tenant's act, by law, to protect them as well.
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