Memo- Rental Liscensing and Inspection Program UpdateMemorandum
To: Mayor Eugene J. Maxwell and City Council Members
From: Christopher P. Kearney, Building Official
Date: July 9, 2010
Re: Rental Licensing and Inspection Program Update
Rental Licensing and Inspection Program Update
We are just over two years into the expanded Rental Inspection Program and much has been
learned by staff, tenants and owners. In 2009 Housing Inspector Mark Lucht concentrated on single
family and duplex dwellings; in 2010 he moved onto condominiums and townhomes. Liz Page has
concentrated on inspecting apartment buildings when she is not involved in Code Enforcement,
Truth -In -Housing and Property Maintenance duties. Over the last two years Liz's percentage of time
spent on Code Enforcement and Property Maintenance is increasing while time spent on Housing
Inspections has decreased.
What are we finding?
Below is a list of the most common violations found during the rental inspection process. There is
no real pattern on what type of property we are finding the items to be corrected in. We have found
some of the worst cases in owner occupied duplexes, while a single family home managed by a
professional property management company can be free of violations. Then there are cases when
just the opposite is true.
Violations
1. Remove items stored in main walking paths throughout dwelling unit to the exit doors
& windows (mainly bedrooms)
2. Electrical system hazards; mostly the use of extension cords, cube adapters, and
three/six prong adapters
3. Accumulation of combustibles throughout the dwelling unit; clear path to gas meter &
electrical panels; and make clearance around all gas fired appliances
4. Illegal bedroom in basement
5. Occupants not maintaining a clean & sanitary dwelling unit
6. Handrails missing/not running full length of stairs
7. Work without permits
8. Gas line not secured
9. CO detectors not installed or have no batteries
10. Smoke detectors that are missing batteries
11. Windows that are inoperable or have broken glass
July 9, 2010
What category are buildings falling into?
After the inspection process, properties are scored and put in category A, B or C. Category A
properties are inspected on a 3 year cycle, Category B on a 2 year cycle and Category C every
year. In the chart below you will find the type and number of dwellings inspected and the
percentage of each category properties fell into. Roughly 42% of the category C buildings
improved to category A or B the second year they were inspected while 58% stayed at category
C.
2=0 R*nw - -- i tlrana:h Jure 23, 2M
Dwelm Type
9 kmoc ped
Cakwffy A
1F B
Cagy C
Same Fan*
12
2
40%
40%
DWks
15
0%
40%
5044
Condo
172
5544
2444
2144
Townhow a
UM
54'X.
2544
2144
Apert nmt
77
57'X
40%
344
TM1 Ung = 409
2J� IEe�I ia�tioao
Dwelm Type
9 6rspect d
Iry A
Caftgprf B
Cateo y C
Same Fan*
48
3M
42%
20%
Dwks
fis
25%
54%
21%
Condo
52
71M
LEI%
1.=
Townhom a
31
29%
45'!4
26'!4
Tripkx
4
O44
25'!4
75%
FaMpiEN
2
0%
as
100%
Ap MUFBMt
1.86
46%
52%
2%
TMA Ung = 460
Dwebm TMpg
9 kppedted
Caem3ffy A
Cakor1► B
Cateyory C
Sage Fan*
40
63'X.
2544
12%
Dwkz
73
5944
3844
3%
Apatnent
385
9244
11%
OX
TCM1 Ung =5M
Is the new rental inspection program working?
Staff believes the program is working and worth all the effort. Life safety and health issues such
as illegal bedrooms in basements, missing fire separation walls between garage and dwelling
July 9, 2010
units, no smoke detectors as well as other life safety issues are being corrected while the overall
quality of the rental stock in the city is increasing.
Revenue vs. Expenditures
The chart below compares revenue vs. income for 2008-2010. The rental inspection fee income has
averaged just over $24,000 for the past two years. Projected Rental Inspection Revenue for current
year was set at $32,000. We found that once the inspectors got into the Single Family Dwellings
and Duplexes staff time per inspection and the follow-up that is required increased greatly
compared to apartment buildings. We are continuing to look at ways to increase the number of
inspections while offering professional customer service such as using in -field notebook computers
to cut down on the paper work, enabling the number of inspections to increase. While these steps
will increase inspections revenues somewhat, in order to completely cover the cost of this program,
annual fees and/or inspections fees will have to be increased. Staff will be prepared to discuss
different ways to increase revenue at the Worksession.
July 9, 2010