Albuquerque lawmaker wants to enforce habitable living condition laws in rental properties
Story continues below
Don't Miss: Family reunited with lost cat who was missing in desert for nearly a month
Crime: Former APD officer used MVD info as tool to bring more clients into DWI scandal
National: Former Disney Channel actress 'shot in the face' at birthday event for husband
The resolution was introduced by Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn who said issues like no heating, no water, and even black mold aren't getting resolved quickly enough. 'We should make sure that every single person has heating, cooling, running water, hot water, locks that work, be mold-free, rodent free,' said Councilor Fiebelkorn. Those are all the basic functions of a home that property owners under Albuquerque's Uniform Housing Code and state law (UORRA) are supposed to maintain and fix.
But Fielbelkorn said that's not stopping landlords from neglecting their properties. 'The enforcement part is missing and so we hear from folks all the time, that you know, it's winter and I've been without heat two or three weeks and it hasn't been fixed and that's not okay,' said Councilor Fiebelkorn.
The Peoples Housing Project, which tries to help tenants in those situations, said it's far too common. 'It does take a toll on you because oftentimes when these landlords aren't addressing these issues people don't want to live in these conditions so they're using their own money to address it or they're forced to sleep on their friend's couches or find other places to live,' said Lila Nezar, an organizer with the Peoples Housing Project.
Councilor Fiebelkorn is introducing a resolution that would require the city's Planning Department to enhance their code enforcement to hold landlords more accountable. 'Landlords in general do a great job of providing for their tenants but we do have some bad actors and we need to make sure that they are aware that the city of Albuquerque will ensure that you do correct things when they go wrong,' said Fiebelkorn.
If her proposal passes council, there will need to be a full-time code enforcement officer focused solely on these tenant complaints and handle them promptly, prioritizing calls based on the severity. If passed, the resolution would also require a dedicated process outside of 311 for people to report violations.
KRQE News 13 asked the city's planning and zoning department what the proposal would mean for the department. They sent us this statement:
We support and help protect tenants' rights by enforcing the Uniform Housing Code. As far as process, our Code Enforcement Division is driven by complaints received through 311. Once received, calls are prioritized by severity with complaints of threats to life and safety usually being responded to the same day. Currently, our Code Enforcement Inspector team is 90% staffed, and we encourage job seekers to apply. We currently have 19 Code Enforcement Inspectors and 2 vacancies.
Tim Walsh, PIO, CABQ Planning Department
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
McKinley County District Attorney told to give up control of office's finances
MCKINLEY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico district attorney has lost her fight to keep control of her office's budget. It's been an issue KRQE News 13 first told you about in a KRQE Investigation this week. This move comes after years of concerns and complaints from the community and police about criminals not being held accountable — and the McKinley County DA creating a hostile work environment. Related Coverage: Defunded DA hangs onto control of office for now 'It's on her': Senator defunds DA citing attitude, staff shortage Lawmakers gave Bernadine Martin's budget to the neighboring DA in San Juan County. Jack Fortner took control of it Tuesday when the fiscal year began. But when he showed up at her office, she requested he hold off for two more weeks, citing her pending request to the New Mexico Supreme Court to weigh in on the budget move. The justices' decision on Wednesday means Martin must let Fortner take over. If she doesn't, she could be removed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Embattled McKinley County DA asks for emergency funding to keep her office running
MCKINLEY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – She's out of money and out of time, so McKinley County District Attorney Bernadine Martin made a last-ditch push to get emergency funding for her office. In front of the New Mexico Board of Finance, Martin requested $3.8 million, which is the office's entire budget for this fiscal year. 'We have no gas cards. We have no POS for postage. We have no POS for internet…We'd probably see dismissals,' said Martin. Previous Coverage: Defunded McKinley County DA no-show for court, multiple cases dismissed McKinley County District Attorney told to give up control of office's finances Defunded DA hangs onto control of office for now 'It's on her': Senator defunds DA citing attitude, staff shortage She said that for the last two weeks, she's kept her office operating with her own salary because, as of July 1, her funding has been in the hands of the neighboring district attorney in San Juan County. It's a decision from lawmakers signed into law by the governor earlier this year. 'Excuse me. The glare doesn't help my eyes, but I'm getting emotional….Our office needs to continue working. We're the poorest county in the state. The highest Native American population in this state,' said Martin. But as previously shared in a KRQE Investigation, lawmakers claim the decision to defund Martin's office comes after years of public safety concerns from the community and police because Martin has zero assistant prosecutors to keep cases moving through the courts. 'Gallup just has an issue with professionals; we're short on doctors and nurses,' Martin told the board members. 'I think the issue is just not my office. It's generally professionals.' Multiple reports claim that she's created a hostile work environment, too. Of her staff, Martin said, 'We work for the public, I tell them that often. This isn't me. It's us. And working for the folks out in the county.' But as Martin continues to fight, court dockets show criminal cases are continued or dismissed. This request to the board comes after the New Mexico Supreme Court refused to hear her petition to block the legislature's decision. She's now filed a lawsuit. The board questioned Martin for more than an hour but came to the conclusion that if they granted her request, it would open the door for any elected official to call on them over a disagreement with lawmakers. 'It just seems to me we as a board should not be involved in this type of issue,' said Michael Sanchez, New Mexico Board of Finance. They told Martin she has 15 days to meet with San Juan County DA Jack Fortner on her own or with a mediator to figure out how to move forward. 'The precedent is the issue here, but Madame district attorney, we're behind you. If we need to convene special session if that mediation doesn't work, come back, and I for one will show up whenever we need to do that. All of us will do that,' said Paul Cassidy, New Mexico Board of Finance. Martin could be removed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez before the funding situation is settled. At the governor's request, his office opened an investigation last month into whether Martin's conduct amounts to 'gross incompetence.' 'I'm being investigated based on hearsay, innuendo, and false statements, and now I welcome it. Bring it on. Look at our numbers. Look at the work we've done,' said Martin. KRQE Investigates has previously reported that DA Fortner started trying to meet with Martin when lawmakers made the funding move in March. Fortner said she spent months declining his offer, and then twice she suggested he sign an agreement giving her the money back. Fortner has said he has to follow the budget lawmakers passed, which leaves him in control of the money. KRQE News 13 tried to once again to ask Martin our own questions, but she declined and requested security. The New Mexico Law Office of the Public Defender sent this statement: The level of dysfunction in this DA's Office has made it significantly harder for us to do our jobs and stay fully staffed. When a DA's Office is chaotic and unnecessarily combative, like it is here, it hurts not just attorneys but also our clients, alleged victims and others waiting for some resolution. It's not like this in other parts of the state and it doesn't have to be like this here. That environment has been a major factor in the loss of several staff attorneys and private contractors. It's also important to remember that prosecuting people isn't the end-all for public safety. There are other ways we can structure how a community addresses crime and public safety, including diversion programs and treatment. Ben Baur, Chief Public Defender, New Mexico Law Office of the Public Defender Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
‘A privilege, not a right': Trump administration puts green card holders on notice
Are you traveling abroad with a green card as a guarantee of your re-entry into the United States? Customs and Border Protection (CBP) warns that you may experience difficulty entering under certain circumstances. The Trump Administration's new immigration policies include stricter screening of those entering the country through any port of entry, including those with legal permanent resident status. The CBP published a strongly-worded message on social media Tuesday detailing the current conditions for green card holders returning to the United States. 'Having a criminal record does not make you an honorable legal permanent resident. Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right,' warns the CBP post. The agency notes that the United States government, 'under the laws of our nation,' has the authority to revoke green cards if laws are violated or abused. 'In addition to immigration removal proceedings, lawful permanent residents who present themselves at a U.S. port of entry with prior criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention,' the notice states. The warning is similar to previous messages directed at visa holders, in which federal agencies emphasize that immigration benefits can be revoked, which could lead to deportation. Under the Trump administration, foreigners have been deported even for minor offenses such as driving under the influence (DWI), according to official reports. This informational offensive by the administration includes various federal agencies, including the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which has also issued statements about stricter rules for granting immigration benefits, including permanent residency. The warnings also extend to international travelers entering through the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA electronic authorization, who could also face penalties if they violate the program's conditions.
