Rental Housing Code

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Rental Housing Code
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Contacts

• Dawn West - Code Enforcement Inspector/Rental
  Housing Inspector
• 651-480-2376
• Tom Bakken - Building Official
• 651-480-2375

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Adopted City codes

• Chapter 17 Structure Maintenance Code for Rental
  Residential Properties
• December 15, 1997 Adopted an amendment to Chapter
  17 which establishes a licensing requirement for
  rental housing.
• Became Effective May 18, 1998

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Why was this program initiated?

• Respond to high frequency of rental complaints
• Absentee Landlords
• Neglected Properties
• Declining Property Values
• City Council Directives

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Purpose of this Chapter

• For the protection of life, limb, health,
  property, safety and welfare of the general
  public and the owners and occupants of
  residential buildings.
• Protect residents and property from fire.
• Provide minimum standards for housing.
• Preserve Property Values.
• Improve Quality of Housing.
• Reduce Crime.

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Does the City Code Require a License for Rental
Property?

• Hastings requires each rental dwelling unit to be
  licensed every two years.
• Rental Licenses are issued a two year license
  upon passing the inspection.
• Renewal License issued every two years upon
  passing inspection.
• The license must be conspicuously posted near the
  main entry.

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What are the Fees for Rentals?

• Two Year License Application Fees
• 50.00 Per Building plus 3.00 Per Unit. (Triplex
  or more)
• Single Family 25.00
• Duplex 50.00
• Follow-up Inspection-No Fee
• Failed Follow-up Inspection Re-inspection-Fees
  Will Apply. Two-Hour Minimum.

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Inspection Process

• Initial Inspection- Listing Deficiencies and
  Compliance Timeframe.
• Follow-up Inspection-for Compliance
• No License Issued - Re-inspection Fees Will
  Apply.
• Issue License - if Compliant
• Issue Citation
• Re-inspection Fees at 47.00/Hour Two-Hour
  Minimum.

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Inspection Checklist
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Landlord Classes

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

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Inspections Required

• Every rental dwelling unit must be inspected.
• The owner or agent shall accompany the Inspector
  at least once during the license period.

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What are the Housing Code Standards?

• Exterior Standards
• Standards for Basic Services
• Structural Standards
• Interior Standards
• Standards for Rodent Control
• Fire Protection
• Occupancy Standards
• Weatherization Requirements

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When are Inspections not Required?

• Inspection for the issuance or renewal of a
  license may be waived by the City if the Owner of
  a dwelling unit proves that within the previous
  12 months the dwelling unit passed an inspection
  required by the City, State, or Federal
  regulations that is at least as stringent as the
  inspection required under this section. The City
  has sole discretion to determine when an
  inspection program is at least as stringent as
  the inspection required under this section.
• The property is brand new before renting.
• Inspections conducted as the result of a
  complaint made to the City may not be waived
  under this provision.

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Inspection Condition

• A license may not be issued or renewed unless the
  owner of rental units agrees in the application
  to permit inspections pursuant to Section 17.09.
  The owner or agent is required to accompany the
  inspector at an inspection, follow-up inspection
  or re-inspection of the property at least once
  during the license period.
• It is the responsibility of the owner or agent to
  schedule the required rental inspection with the
  City of Hastings and to obtain consent from the
  renter (s) for the inspection in a reasonable
  period of time at least 24 hours prior to all
  inspections, follow-up inspections or
  re-inspections.

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Minimum Electrical Standards

• Electrical service must be adequate to serve the
  needs of the occupants and installed and
  maintained in accordance with the electrical
  code.
• All electrical equipment shall be of an approved
  type.
• Temporary wiring, extension cords or drop cords
  are not allowed for permanent wiring.
• Multi-plugs adaptors such as cube adaptors and
  unfused plug strips or any other device not
  complying with the electrical code shall be
  prohibited.

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Common Electrical Hazards
No Face Plate, Extension cords, illegal
multi-plug, possible overload.
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Open socket.
Dangling light fixture, missing light fixture
cover.
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No Face Plate
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Not a UL listed Fixture.
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Extension cords, illegal adapter, Overload
possible.
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Missing Smoke Detector.
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Exterior Foundation Deficiencies
Unstable corner
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(No Transcript)
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Plumbing Deficiencies
Packing tape used to fix leaking joints. Not an
approved method.
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Masking tape used to fix leaking joints. Not
approved method.
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Duct tape used to fix leaking joints. Not
approved method.
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Leaking Faucets.
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Chimney Deficiencies
Chimney Structural Failure
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Handrails
Code Compliant Handrail Required
Missing Handrail
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Furnace/Boiler Deficiencies

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

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Furnace/Boiler Deficiencies
Rusted Secondary Heat Exchanger with High CO but
still ran.
Cracked Heat Exchanger
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Defective primary heat exchanger 90 efficiency.
High CO and still ran, no visible cracks.
Rusted Heat Exchangers
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Floors, Interior Walls and Ceilings

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

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Bathroom floor rotting.
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Bathroom ceiling blistering.
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Mold on Ceiling of Bathroom
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Windows, Doors and Screens

• Windows, exterior doors and hatchways must be
  substantially tight and kept in a professional
  state of repair. Every window, other than a fixed
  window or storm window shall be capable of being
  easily opened. All doors, thresholds, door and
  window frames shall be free of blistered paint,
  missing glazing. All windows must be free of
  loose and broken glass, have hardware to hold in
  the open position, fit tight within the frame and
  have a secure locking mechanism. Windows must be
  equipped with screens free of holes and shall be
  maintained in good condition. All door and window
  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 stairs.

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Torn patio screen.
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Glazing Missing
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Torn screen.
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Unsecured and Broken
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Broken lower front window and paint failing.
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Missing door handle.
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Substandard HousingSanitation Issues, Fire
Hazard, Egress Concerns
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Substandard Housing Sanitation Issues, Fire
Hazard, Egress Concerns
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Substandard Housing Sanitation Issues, Fire
Hazard, Egress Concerns
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Housing Code

• For more information please visit the city
  website at
• ci.hastings.mn.us