CABQ resolution looks to crack down on problematic, unsafe rental properties
Apr 05, 2025
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The City of Albuquerque is cracking down on problematic rental properties across the metro. It comes after Mayor Keller signed a resolution this week that directs the city to prioritize tenant complaints about unsafe living conditions.
"Everybody deserves a place to
live that is safe," said Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. It's the city's latest effort to hold neglectful landlords to address tenant needs and be held accountable.
"They can find people who are not running good properties," said Dan Mayfield, a spokesperson for the City of Albuquerque. "It can be up to $500 a day, per violation."
Albuquerque mayor files complaint against city council over AFR staffing ordinance
According to the resolution, the city plans to hire a full-time position to receive tenant complaints and get them fixed. The person behind the push, Councilor Fiebelkorn, says many of those problems are a lack of basic living necessities, such as a lack of heating and cooling, no running water, and units without locks.
The city says that the new position would be responsible for prioritizing complaints based on severity and the health or safety risk it poses to the tenant. The resolution also directs the employee to address complaints in a "timely" manner, even accelerating the process for urgent cases.
"We get calls every single week from a tenant who has a landlord who hasn't fixed something that's vital to their health and wellbeing," Councilor Fiebelkorn explained.
Albuquerque City Council passes nuisance property ordinance, guaranteed income initiative
Through the resolution, tenants can submit complaints through the 311 number or online. According to city documents, the employee would also need to track and report the number and types of complaints and how long it took to fix.
"Most of the landlords in our city are doing the right thing, and so we do have a handful that are bad apples, and we want to make sure that those folks, those bad actors, are being held accountable," Councilor Fiebelkorn added. ...read more read less
