Landlord Licensing

Anyone wishing to rent out a store, office, apartment, or house must register as a landlord and have the structure inspected and approved for occupancy on a biennial basis.

After receipt of the application and fees, an appointment must be made. Once the property is inspected and approved, the Building Official will issue a certificate of compliance.

Click here for a printable copy of the Rental Inspection Checklist.

Rental properties are inspected to ensure the following.

These are only examples and are not all-inclusive.  Inspectors following the National Property Maintenance Code.

• Does the structure have adequate and safe electrical service?
• Is the plumbing in good repair?
• Is the heating system in safe working order?  If the heating unit is more than 5 years old it must be inspected by a professional. 
• Is the chimney in good repair?
• Are the walls/ceiling, floors and floor coverings in good condition without cracks or holes?
• Are there storm windows and screens in all window frames? Are window frames rotted, unpainted, in disrepair?
• Are there any missing, broken or cracked windows? Do windows need caulking?
• Are there screen/storm doors on the front and rear of the rental units? Are solid entrance doors in good condition with proper security locks?
• Are all of porches, steps, skirting of the house and other wood on the exterior rotted, in disrepair? Or in need of paint? Are railings secured? Does the roof leak?
• Are the rain pipes in good repair?
• Is the structure free of roaches and rodents?
• Is the garage or shed rotted, open, filled with debris, in need of roofing or paint?
• Are the surrounding grounds free of trash, abandoned vehicles, vehicle parts and overgrown weeds and grass?
• Are fences and gates in good condition and working order?
• Are sidewalks surrounding the property in good shape and not a danger to walk over?
• Is there wood and miscellaneous trash stored under the structure, in the basement, in the attic, or in the garage creating a rodent haven and health hazard?
• Are there sufficient trash containers?
• Is there a smoke detector in each residential unit of the dwelling? Is there a minimum of one smoke detector per floor? Is there one smoke detector in each bedroom?