The Duluth City Council passed a requirement Monday that every homeowner with a rental license must post a contact name, phone number and e-mail address telling who is responsible for taking care of the home on a small sign outside where the public can see it -- even if the homeowner doesn't actually rent out the house.
Councilor Russ Stewart, who voted against the measure, said it created another division between owners and renters. "It creates a second-class citizen," Stewart argued. But the idea still was overwhelmingly approved, and had support from the Duluth Association of Responsible Rentals. No one came to speak out against the idea. Currently, the contact information is required to be posted in the buildings of rentals so the tenants and police can see it.
Councilor Russ Stewart said he has heard this requirement is typical in other cities.
