The public will get an opportunity to comment on proposed new regulations for rental properties when the Board of Health holds a hearing on Wednesday, June 19, at 5 p.m. in the Town Hall cafeteria.

In April, Town Meeting approved a measure establishing a fund to hold fees and fines resulting from establishment of such regulations, but the regulations themselves have not yet been finalized.

As proposed by the Board of Health, the new regulations will require anyone who rents or leases a property or a portion of a property to register with the Board of Health at a cost of $100 per year. Any additional units owned by the same person at the same property would cost another $25 per unit.

The property owner would receive a certificate of registration, which he or she would be required to renew yearly. Property owners would be prohibited from renting or leasing without a certificate from the board.

Once registered, property owners would be scheduled for a State Sanitary Code Inspection.

Any landlord who receives a written notice of violation from the Board of Health would have 30 days to correct it. Anyone found in violation of the new regulations would be subject to a $300 per day fine.

Under the State Sanitary Code, landlords are required to provide alternative housing immediately for tenants if health authorities determine that a property has severe violations such as lack of heating or a failed septic system.

Anyone renting or leasing a dwelling would also be required to keep a register of the names of renters. The owner would be required to make the register available to the Board of Health, health inspectors, police officers, and the town building inspector.

Property owners would also be responsible for installing and maintaining smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

The proposal also addresses garbage. The owner of a property would be responsible for providing occupants with "receptacles with tight-fitting lids." The owner would also have to ensure that the odor of garbage is not detectable by people who live on the property, or from the street near the property.

The regulations are being proposed under Massachusetts General Law 111, Section 31, the full text of which may be found here.

For more information, visit www.wareham.ma.us.