Lehighton hopes to have all of the borough’s rental units inspected between now and 2025.

Borough council unanimously agreed on Monday to amend the rental inspection ordinance and advertise it for adoption.

Before the vote, borough Manager Dane DeWire said the rental inspection fee will remain $75.

DeWire said that a $50, discounted rate, will be given to high-density housing owners with 10 or more units.

Additionally, he said the program was also changed from a one-year to a two-year inspection program so that inspections are not going to be required every year.

In addition, DeWire said that all of the borough’s rental unit inspections will be guided by the International Property Maintenance Code.

“I like this much better,” Councilman Ryan Saunders said.

DeWire said that the borough doesn’t want to profit from, or take a hit, and added it’s 100% break-even.

He added it’s about “making our rentals safer for our residents.”

Craig Kovacs, owner of Victory Estates Apartments and Townhomes, said he was glad to see it going from one year to two years.

Kovacs said he was for the rental inspections.

However, resident/business owner Dennis Blocker questioned how the borough would get absentee landlords.

“I just want to make sure everyone is in compliance, not just the good landlords,” Blocker said.

In July, council adopted the ordinance, which borough solicitor Jim Nanovic said at that time probably wouldn’t be implemented for several months.