Residential Rental Inspections:
Here is an inspection form that indicates what our inspectors are looking for to ensure the minimum health and safety requirements are provided - prior to occupancy.
Information for Renters and Owners
All Single family homes offered for rent:
Before an owner offers a single family home for rent - whether it is by a real estate office, owner, or managing company - all homes are to have a rental inspection ($20.00 fee) prior to a tenant taking possession of the home. This is to ensure the minimum health and safety requirements are met prior to the home being occupied. It is intended to protect both the owner and the tenant. Rental inspections are required even if you rent only a portion of your home and the owner remains in other parts of the home.
All apartments offered for rent:
Before an owner or apartment complex offers a unit for rent, whether it is by a real estate office, owner, or managing company - all apartment units are to have a rental inspection ($20.00 fee) prior to a tenant taking possession of the apartment unit. This is to ensure the minimum health and safety requirements are met prior to the home being occupied. It is intended to protect both the owner and the tenant. Rental inspections are required even if you rent only a portion of your unit and the owner remains in other parts of the unit.
Common Questions:
​​
Q. I have moved in a home or apartment, I am having problems with appliances, windows not working right, can't find smoke detectors, or there appears to be mold - what do I do?
A. Contact both the Planning Office and the owner/manager of the unit or home. The Planning Office will verify that a rental inspection was completed and passed prior to you taking possession. Should the unit not have a current rental inspection - we will schedule one with the owner and tenant (our staff will not enter a unit if occupied without either the owner or tenant present - however, both is preferred). Please note: should the unit or home not have a current rental inspection - the owner will be required to pay a rental fee of $100.00 rather than the normal $20.00 fee. If the unit has a current rental inspection, then the city will communicate with the tenant and owner to correct any repairs or maintenance issues.
Q. I have a tenant that moved out after 4 months, and I have a new tenant ready to move in - do I have to have the home or unit re-inspected?
A. YES - reguardless of how long a tenant has lived within a unit or home - a rental inspection is required prior to any new tenant taking possession.
Q. I have a tenant that moved without notice and damaged the unit - can the city help in any way?
A. We can verify the unit had a passing rental inspection prior to the tenant taking possession. Otherwise, it is a civil issue and our records can be used in favor of the owner or tenant- as applicable.
Q. I am a tenant and there seems to be alot of bugs in my unit - who is responsible?
A. As part of a rental inspection, owners are required to provide pest control in vacant units and in all common areas of the building. Once the rental inspection is passed and a tenant takes possession, then the Tenant is responsible for pest control within their leased area - unless otherwise specified within your lease.
Q. Does the City resolve tenant/landlord disputes?
A. The city does not enforce the Tenant/Landlord act or regulations in place by the State. We do assist with health and safety issues that either were not in place prior to occupancy or that fall into disrepair during occupancy and have not been corrected by the owner.
Q. When are rental inspections available?
A. Typically, rental inspections are scheduled for the following day. However, Staff can often accommodate for same day inspections, or early inspections from 7:30 a.m. to late inspections up to 5:30 p.m. (excluding holidays and weekends). The owner or owner's agent must be present at time of rental inspection. Should for any reason that the tenant has already moved in, then the owner/agent and the tenant must be present at the time of rental inspection.
​