No shared ventilation for renters in Provo

PROVO — The city is pumping fresh air into an effort to protect renters from germs and fumes that come from sharing ventilations systems with others in the same building.

City officials asked for, and received, an opinion on the subject from the executive director and board members of the Utah County Health Department. The health department supports the city's efforts.

"Whenever air is circulated from one dwelling unit to another, there is a potential for the spread of airborne infectious diseases such as tuberculosis," according to the letter, dated Nov. 17. "There is also a concern for adverse health effects from odors, fumes, pet dander and second-hand smoke. These types of things can trigger asthma episodes or cause other respiratory problems."

City officials asked for the health department's opinion after receiving complaints from landlords over the ventilation provision — which actually stems from a 3-decade-old state law. The city has come down on landlords over ventilation since 2003, when the City Council passed an ordinance that requires all landlords to obtain business licenses if they want to rent out buildings in Provo.

The licensing ordinance is the city's first effort to group together landlords and regulate them consistently.

"If you want to be in this business in Provo, you have to meet minimum health standards," said Gary McGinn, the city's community development director.

Prior to the licensing requirement, city officials regulated landlords piecemeal. Landlords complained to city officials that they were being individually picked on because they knew other landlords with the same violations who weren't getting caught, McGinn said.

Since the City Council passed the ordinance in 2003, it has received about 3,000 applications for licenses — numbers that have created a backlog — with many landlords listing more than one property on applications. The city has processed about 80 percent of the applications, McGinn said.

Provo has become something of a renters' community. The city is home to Brigham Young University, with about 30,000 students. Nearby Utah Valley State College boasts about 24,000 students.

The 2000 Census found that 57 percent of Provo residents are renters, McGinn said.

The Provo ordinance allows the city to deny landlords licenses or impose fines if rental units lack separate ventilation systems.