May 2007May 2007

Rental Housing CodeRental Housing Code

ContactsContacts

Dawn West - Code Enforcement Dawn West - Code Enforcement Inspector/Rental Housing InspectorInspector/Rental Housing Inspector

651-480-2376651-480-2376 Tom Bakken - Building OfficialTom Bakken - Building Official 651-480-2375651-480-2375

Adopted City codesAdopted City codes

Chapter 157 Structure Maintenance Code Chapter 157 Structure Maintenance Code for Rental Residential Propertiesfor Rental Residential Properties

December 15, 1997 Adopted an December 15, 1997 Adopted an amendment to Chapter 17 which amendment to Chapter 17 which establishes a licensing requirement for establishes a licensing requirement for rental housing.rental housing.

Became Effective May 18, 1998Became Effective May 18, 1998

Why was this program initiated?Why was this program initiated?

Respond to high frequency of rental Respond to high frequency of rental complaintscomplaints

Absentee LandlordsAbsentee Landlords Neglected PropertiesNeglected Properties Declining Property ValuesDeclining Property Values City Council DirectivesCity Council Directives

Purpose of this ChapterPurpose of this Chapter

For the protection of life, limb, health, property, For the protection of life, limb, health, property, safety and welfare of the general public and the safety and welfare of the general public and the owners and occupants of residential buildings.owners and occupants of residential buildings.

Protect residents and property from fire.Protect residents and property from fire. Provide minimum standards for housing.Provide minimum standards for housing. Preserve Property Values.Preserve Property Values. Improve Quality of Housing.Improve Quality of Housing. Reduce Crime.Reduce Crime.

Does the City Code Require a Does the City Code Require a License for Rental Property?License for Rental Property?

Hastings requires each rental dwelling unit to be Hastings requires each rental dwelling unit to be licensed every two years.licensed every two years.

Rental Licenses are issued a two year license Rental Licenses are issued a two year license upon passing the inspection.upon passing the inspection.

Renewal License issued every two years upon Renewal License issued every two years upon passing inspection.passing inspection.

The license must be conspicuously posted near The license must be conspicuously posted near the main entry.the main entry.

What are the Fees for Rentals?What are the Fees for Rentals?

Single Family $50.00Single Family $50.00 Duplex $75.00Duplex $75.00 Triplex $95.00Triplex $95.00 Four-plex $115.00Four-plex $115.00 More than four units $75.00 per building 10 More than four units $75.00 per building 10

per unitper unit Follow-up Inspection – No FeeFollow-up Inspection – No Fee Failed Follow-up Inspection Re-inspection-Failed Follow-up Inspection Re-inspection-

Fees Will Apply. Two-Hour Minimum. Fees Will Apply. Two-Hour Minimum.

Two Year License Application Fees:

Inspection ProcessInspection Process

Initial Inspection- Listing Deficiencies and Initial Inspection- Listing Deficiencies and Compliance Timeframe.Compliance Timeframe.

Follow-up Inspection-for ComplianceFollow-up Inspection-for Compliance1.1. No License Issued - Re-inspection Fees No License Issued - Re-inspection Fees

Will Apply.Will Apply.2.2. Issue License - if CompliantIssue License - if Compliant3.3. Issue CitationIssue Citation Re-inspection Fees at $50.00/Hour Two-Re-inspection Fees at $50.00/Hour Two-

Hour Minimum. Hour Minimum.

Inspection ChecklistInspection Checklist

Landlord ClassesLandlord Classes

Officer Lilly Murr, through the Hastings Police Officer Lilly Murr, through the Hastings Police Department, offers landlord classes and information Department, offers landlord classes and information for screening tenants. If you are interested in her for screening tenants. If you are interested in her services, you can contact her at 651-480-2300.services, you can contact her at 651-480-2300.

Inspections RequiredInspections Required

Every rental dwelling unit must be Every rental dwelling unit must be inspected.inspected.

The owner or agent shall accompany the The owner or agent shall accompany the Inspector at least once during the license Inspector at least once during the license period.period.

Exemption: Immediate Family Housing: Exemption: Immediate Family Housing: means close relative by birth or marriage means close relative by birth or marriage including siblings, parents, children, in-including siblings, parents, children, in-laws, and any financial dependentslaws, and any financial dependents

What are the Housing Code What are the Housing Code Standards?Standards?

Exterior StandardsExterior Standards Standards for Basic ServicesStandards for Basic Services Structural StandardsStructural Standards Interior StandardsInterior Standards Standards for Rodent ControlStandards for Rodent Control Fire ProtectionFire Protection Occupancy StandardsOccupancy Standards Weatherization RequirementsWeatherization Requirements

When are Inspections not When are Inspections not Required?Required?

Inspection for the issuance or renewal of a license may Inspection for the issuance or renewal of a license may be waived by the City if the Owner of a dwelling unit be waived by the City if the Owner of a dwelling unit proves that within the previous 12 months the dwelling proves that within the previous 12 months the dwelling unit passed an inspection required by the City, State, or unit passed an inspection required by the City, State, or Federal regulations that is at least as stringent as the Federal regulations that is at least as stringent as the inspection required under this section. The City has sole inspection required under this section. The City has sole discretion to determine when an inspection program is at discretion to determine when an inspection program is at least as stringent as the inspection required under this least as stringent as the inspection required under this section. section.

The property is brand new before renting.The property is brand new before renting. Inspections conducted as the result of a complaint made Inspections conducted as the result of a complaint made

to the City may not be waived under this provision.to the City may not be waived under this provision.

Inspection ConditionInspection Condition A license may not be issued or renewed unless the A license may not be issued or renewed unless the

owner of rental units agrees in the application to permit owner of rental units agrees in the application to permit inspections pursuant to Section 17.09. The owner or inspections pursuant to Section 17.09. The owner or agent is required to accompany the inspector at an agent is required to accompany the inspector at an inspection, follow-up inspection or re-inspection of the inspection, follow-up inspection or re-inspection of the property at least once during the license period. property at least once during the license period.

It is the responsibility of the owner or agent to schedule It is the responsibility of the owner or agent to schedule the required rental inspection with the City of Hastings the required rental inspection with the City of Hastings and to obtain consent from the renter (s) for the and to obtain consent from the renter (s) for the inspection in a reasonable period of time at least 24 inspection in a reasonable period of time at least 24 hours prior to all inspections, follow-up inspections or re-hours prior to all inspections, follow-up inspections or re-inspections.inspections.

Minimum Electrical StandardsMinimum Electrical Standards Electrical service must be adequate to serve the needs Electrical service must be adequate to serve the needs

of the occupants and installed and maintained in of the occupants and installed and maintained in accordance with the electrical code. accordance with the electrical code.

All electrical equipment shall be of an approved type.All electrical equipment shall be of an approved type. Temporary wiring, extension cords or drop cords are not Temporary wiring, extension cords or drop cords are not

allowed for permanent wiring. allowed for permanent wiring. Multi-plugs adaptors such as cube adaptors and Multi-plugs adaptors such as cube adaptors and

unfused plug strips or any other device not complying unfused plug strips or any other device not complying with the electrical code shall be prohibited.with the electrical code shall be prohibited.

Common Electrical HazardsCommon Electrical Hazards

No Face Plate, Extension cords, illegal multi-plug, possible overload.

Dangling light fixture, missing light fixture cover.

Open socket.

No Face Plate

Not a UL listed Fixture.

Extension cords, illegal adapter, Overload possible.

Missing Smoke Detector.

Exterior Foundation DeficienciesExterior Foundation Deficiencies

Unstable corner

Plumbing DeficienciesPlumbing Deficiencies

Packing tape used to fix leaking joints. Not an approved method.

Masking tape used to fix leaking joints. Not approved method.

Duct tape used to fix leaking joints. Not approved method.

Leaking Faucets.

Chimney DeficienciesChimney Deficiencies

Chimney Structural Failure

HandrailsHandrails

Missing HandrailCode Compliant Handrail Required

Furnace/Boiler DeficienciesFurnace/Boiler Deficiencies

Heating facilities over 20 years of age or Heating facilities over 20 years of age or those of an age that can not be those of an age that can not be determined by permit record or by determined by permit record or by manufacturers label, must be posted with manufacturers label, must be posted with a dated indication of a service or a dated indication of a service or maintenance check by a licensed maintenance check by a licensed mechanical or heating contractor.mechanical or heating contractor.

Furnace/Boiler DeficienciesFurnace/Boiler Deficiencies

Cracked Heat Exchanger

Rusted Secondary Heat Exchanger with High CO but still ran.

Defective primary heat exchanger 90% efficiency. High CO and still ran, no visible cracks.

Rusted Heat Exchangers

Floors, Interior Walls and CeilingsFloors, Interior Walls and Ceilings

Floors, interior walls and ceilings must be adequately Floors, interior walls and ceilings must be adequately protected against the passage of rain and wind and protected against the passage of rain and wind and harborage of vermin, rodents and insects. Floors must harborage of vermin, rodents and insects. Floors must be free of loose, warped, protruding or rotted flooring be free of loose, warped, protruding or rotted flooring materials. materials. All floor coverings must be in good All floor coverings must be in good condition and free of tripping hazards. Interior walls condition and free of tripping hazards. Interior walls and ceilings must be free of holes, loose plaster, and ceilings must be free of holes, loose plaster, large cracks, blistering paint and/or texture, and large cracks, blistering paint and/or texture, and shall be maintained in good condition. shall be maintained in good condition. Toxic paint Toxic paint and materials may not be used where readily accessible and materials may not be used where readily accessible to children. Every toilet room, bathroom and kitchen floor to children. Every toilet room, bathroom and kitchen floor surface must be easily cleanable and maintained in good surface must be easily cleanable and maintained in good condition. condition.

Bathroom floor rotting.

Bathroom ceiling blistering.

Mold on Ceiling of Bathroom

Windows, Doors and ScreensWindows, Doors and Screens Windows, exterior doors and hatchways must be substantially Windows, exterior doors and hatchways must be substantially

tight and kept in a professional state of repair. tight and kept in a professional state of repair. Every window, Every window, other than a fixed window or storm window shall be capable of being other than a fixed window or storm window shall be capable of being easily opened. All doors, thresholds, door and window frames shall easily opened. All doors, thresholds, door and window frames shall be free of blistered paint, missing glazing. All windows must be free be free of blistered paint, missing glazing. All windows must be free of loose and broken glass, have hardware to hold in the open of loose and broken glass, have hardware to hold in the open position, fit tight within the frame and have a secure locking position, fit tight within the frame and have a secure locking mechanism. Windows must be equipped with screens free of holes mechanism. Windows must be equipped with screens free of holes and shall be maintained in good condition. All door and window and shall be maintained in good condition. All door and window hardware and locks shall be functional and be maintained in good hardware and locks shall be functional and be maintained in good condition. No door at the top of a stairway may swing open over the condition. No door at the top of a stairway may swing open over the stairs.stairs.

Torn patio screen.

Glazing Missing

Torn screen.

Unsecured and BrokenUnsecured and Broken

Broken lower front window and paint failing.

Missing door handle.

Substandard HousingSubstandard HousingSanitation Issues, Fire Hazard, Egress Sanitation Issues, Fire Hazard, Egress

ConcernsConcerns

Substandard HousingSubstandard Housing Sanitation Issues, Fire Hazard, Egress Sanitation Issues, Fire Hazard, Egress

ConcernsConcerns

Substandard HousingSubstandard Housing Sanitation Issues, Fire Hazard, Egress Sanitation Issues, Fire Hazard, Egress

ConcernsConcerns

Housing CodeHousing Code

For more information please visit the city For more information please visit the city website at:website at:

ci.hastings.mn.usci.hastings.mn.us