West Valley City » A few years ago, some city neighborhoods were plagued with frequent crime, poor landscaping and trash.

So city officials created a task force to attack the problem. In summer 2007 they started the Good Landlord Program to encourage owners to improve their properties and better screen their renters.

"We didn't know how to punish the bad guys and reward the good guys," said Claire Gillmor, an assistant city attorney.

Now, almost three years into the program, city officials are calling it a success and hope to continue recruiting landlords in an effort to clean up the city.

The city's top way of measuring a neighborhood's distress: the number of calls for police for any issue, including drug deals, domestic violence and medical emergencies.

The first community targeted by the program was Arlington Park -- about 28 fourplexes with various owners near 4700 S. 4800 West. In 2006, the cops were called to the area 545 times.

Last year, the number of calls decreased to 146 -- a 73 percent drop.

"It's improved the quality of life there drastically," Gillmor said.

The program's new target neighborhood: West Lake. "We want all the criminal activity out of here," Gillmor said of the city.

When program coordinator Margo Aleksandrovich started her job in May 2008, about 40 landlords were signed up. As of December, the city has some 300 property owners participating.

Aleksandrovich said the jump in participation stems from publicity by the city, the city's partnership with the Utah Apartment Association and the program's benefits. The top perk: a $20-per-unit annual city disproportionate impact fee -- a $74 discount.

Landlords in good standing with the program shouldn't have to pay higher disproportionate fees if their rental properties do not require extra services from the city, officials said.

To be a part of the program, landlords must pay $55 to the apartment association to complete an eight-hour property management training every two years; have a city business license; and pay the reduced disproportionate fees.

Their renters must pass a criminal background and credit check. Offenders with certain criminal history, including domestic violence, alcohol, drugs, weapons and others, are not allowed to rent, officials said. That restriction has drawn criticism from low-income housing advocates.

Some landlords said the program's working well; others said they're not so sure.

Amber Sanches is the property manager of 252 units at Tuscany Cove Apartments, 3856 W. 3500 South. She remembers when the officer assigned to the complex came in for his monthly visits with two full sheets of calls for service. Now, she said, it's less than a page of calls.

Sanches said she appreciates having the police often checking in. "They have been wonderful," she said.

Jay Bentley, a West Jordan resident who owns a fourplex in Arlington Park, said saving on the fees is nice, but he thinks the program is a way for the city to intensely supervise him.

He said he tries his best to keep his property in "fairly good condition," but the city always seems to find something wrong. And when he needs help, he said, he doesn't find the same cooperation.

For example, he said the city recently called him about graffiti on his property, but when he had difficulty removing it, he couldn't reach anyone. He also said he has his residents call him instead of the police because he wants to stay in good standing with the program.

Bentley, who's trying to sell his fourplex, said he doesn't plan to buy in West Valley City again. "It's a club the city holds over the landlords," he said of the program. "It would be nice if it was a two-way street."

Officials said they're content with the program's progress so far, but they know they still have work to do.

"It would be nice to see more members and to get West Valley City looking nice," Aleksandrovich said.