Knock, Knock

The ACLU is rightfully skeptical of a plan by Chesterfield to begin a rental-inspection program of single-family homes. The program seems needlessly intrusive -- and needlessly punitive. It would establish a once-a-year interior inspection that homeowners would have to arrange, at an out-of-pocket cost of $100. Owners could refuse -- but then they could face a fine of up to $2,500.

Even worse, the ordinance would put renters in a tight spot. Tenants have the right to refuse warrantless searches, as the ACLU's Kent Willis points out. But it takes a certain amount of sand to say no when government officials come knocking on your door asking, "Mind if we have a look around?"

What's more, if a tenant refuses to permit entry, then the landlord could face the $2,500 fine. That creates a strong incentive for landlords to lean on tenants with instructions to surrender their privacy when an inspector shows up.

County officials have some legitimate concerns of their own. Run-down houses hurt area property values, and that hurts tax collections that fund much-needed services. Officials also face a catch-22: If they insist on inspections, then they're heavy-handed government jackboots -- but if they ignore possible code violations and tenants die when a house goes up in flames, they get blamed first.

Nevertheless, the inspection program as proposed seems like too much stick and not enough carrot. Offering a small real-estate tax break for cooperators instead of a huge fine for non-cooperators seems a more reasonable approach.

Chesterfield administrators note that several surrounding jurisdictions already have similar single-family rental inspection ordinances. It should hardly need repeating that two wrongs -- or five -- don't make a right.