Covina : Property Fix-Up Law

A law that would give city officials more authority to make landlords fix run-down property got initial approval from the City Council on Monday.

The council voted 4 to 1 to introduce the ordinance, in spite of requests from real estate agents and landlords to delay the matter until they could discuss it. Councilman Tom O’Leary voted against the ordinance, saying the real estate people should have some input.

If the law is given final approval Jan. 21, the council could schedule hearings on complaints that properties are deteriorated or in violation of city code, and could force landlords to clean up or reimburse the city for cleaning up.