In an effort to address an increase in illegal rentals, Southampton Town Code Enforcement officers conducted an enforcement operation in Bridgehampton on Friday July 20, 2018. The properties were advertised on the Internet but did not have rental permits.
As a result, 12 Notices of Violation (NOV’s) and two Field Appearance Tickets (FAT’s) were issued for renting without a permit (TOS Code 270-3A). NOV violators have 30 days to comply. An FAT was given to property owners when a renter was on the property. No one was evicted.
The purpose of the rental permit is to determine the condition of the rental properties to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the public.
“These property owners are breaking the law and risking lives,” said Southampton Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator Steven Troyd. “A rental permit only costs $200.00,” said Troyd, “and it could save a life or protect occupants from injury.”
Code Enforcement now accepts credit cards and is working to improve the permitting process through E-permitting.
Numerous other properties are still under investigation.