Broken window blinds blocking your view? In one Mississippi town, that can be more than a nuisance; it can also cost you big bucks, according to Action News 5. That’s because the Board of Aldermen voted to make broken blinds a property code violation after claiming that the unsightly window coverings were bringing down home values.
The Southaven Mayor and Board of Aldermen ultimately passed the measure 6-1. According to the publication, violators will have three months to replace or repair the blinds or be faced with hefty fines.
Those who refuse to make the repairs or fork up the cash may also face jail time. While the Board of Aldermen may be fans of the measure, the community believes it goes too far.
Now, it looks like a fight is gearing up between residents and the board as people say that this common household issue puts too much of a financial burden on people in a time when so many are already feeling the pinch.
Fines Can Cost Up to $1,000
Mayor Darren Musselwhite issued a statement to Action News 5, calling the new property code violation “common sense that sensible people will tell you looks terrible.”
However, people like Kendall Robinette are calling it overreach, and are unhappy about the potential for the costs to add up. “I don’t like it. I do not like it at all. How can they fine you for a blind?” Robinette asked while being interviewed. “I have to replace my blinds a couple times a year because of the dogs and the kids.” According to her, that means spending around $300 each time she needs to do the front of her house.
Meanwhile, Donna Troyanowski worries about how this will affect those who cannot physically replace their own blinds, like her mother. “I can’t imagine how this would go if we didn’t have the time and the know-how to come over here to help her,” she explained. “It probably just wouldn’t happen at all or she might order something that she couldn’t even install.”
Code Enforcement Officers Will Start Issuing Notices This Summer
Time is running out for anyone who needs to repair or replace their blinds, since News Channel 3 says that the rule will go into effect in August 2026. Violators will be given 90 days to take care of the issue, and those who don’t will face up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in jail.
A poll shared by the publication found that people were mostly opposed to the measure, with 74 percent of the people who responded saying that they think the measure goes too far.
As for whether officials are right about property values, it looks like real estate professionals believe that blinds can increase “perceived value,” according to Covering Windows. The website says that blinds that are in good repair can make a great first impression, boosting how people feel about the property.
However, when they are in disrepair, the website notes that those feelings can be flipped, and take away from the home’s overall curb appeal, lowering the value.
Of course, these things only matter when you (or your neighbors) are getting ready to sell your property, so it makes sense why so many people think that the city has gone too far with this one.