Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton has proposed a unique way to try to tackle the rise of illegal apartments in the City.  He wants to tax the properties as commercial rather than residential. 

Under the plan, members of the Unified Neighborhood Inspection Team would act as support for the city’s Tax Assessor office to identify and document homes that have illegal apartments.  UNIT normally deals with blight and quality of life issues.  They have discovered many illegal dwelling units where overcrowding threatens the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants and the public at large. 

Boughton hopes that the change in tax burden will encourage landlords to ensure their properties conform with building and housing maintenance requirements.  UNIT members would not determine actual assessments, they will perform measurements, verify structural layouts and complete certain clerical tasks. 

An Ad Hoc Committee of the City Council is considering the proposal.