Brookhaven mulls home rental law

Brookhaven officials are considering a law change that some say would give landlords more flexibility in renting homes to families -- and help revitalize distressed neighborhoods.

The proposed law change would allow the town's chief building inspector to adjust the standard in single-family rental homes from one occupant per 175 square feet of living space to as low as one person per 150 feet "while keeping safety in mind," documents filed at Town Hall indicate.

The higher standard has made it difficult for families of five or more to rent many of the older, smaller homes that dot rental-heavy communities such as North Bellport, said Councilwoman Connie Kepert.

The extra leeway, Kepert said, would go a long way toward the town's goal of taking back neighborhoods from absentee landlords. With more options, scrupulous landlords are more likely to invest in neighborhoods, she said.

"Instead of turning the neighborhoods over with families [landlords] are finding that they can't rent to families of five, and the properties are instead staying dilapidated and staying in the hands of unscrupulous landlords," Kepert said.

It is unclear when the law change could come to a vote, as it will first require a public hearing, the date of which town officials said is unlikely to be scheduled until next month at the earliest.

Town board members debated the law change during a work session yesterday, and some expressed concern. Councilman Tim Mazzei said the law must be crafted in a way that discourages overcrowding of accessory apartments.

Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld, whose district includes Stony Brook University, said the town also has to be careful about overcrowded student housing. "If it becomes a frat house, how does this help the situation?" he said.

Councilman Daniel Panico, who proposed the law change, said it would apply only to single-family homes and not accessory apartments.

He also said landlords who rent overcrowded housing frequently don't comply with Brookhaven's rental standards, and are subject to violations.

This law change would benefit landlords "who play by the rules," Panico said.