May 2007 Rental Housing Code

Contacts Dawn West - Code Enforcement Inspector/Rental Housing Inspector Dawn West - Code Enforcement Inspector/Rental Housing Inspector Tom Bakken - Building Official Tom Bakken - Building Official

Adopted City codes Chapter 157 Structure Maintenance Code for Rental Residential Properties Chapter 157 Structure Maintenance Code for Rental Residential Properties December 15, 1997 Adopted an amendment to Chapter 17 which establishes a licensing requirement for rental housing. December 15, 1997 Adopted an amendment to Chapter 17 which establishes a licensing requirement for rental housing. Became Effective May 18, 1998 Became Effective May 18, 1998

Why was this program initiated? Respond to high frequency of rental complaints Respond to high frequency of rental complaints Absentee Landlords Absentee Landlords Neglected Properties Neglected Properties Declining Property Values Declining Property Values City Council Directives City Council Directives

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

What are the Fees for Rentals? Single Family $50.00 Single Family $50.00 Duplex $75.00 Duplex $75.00 Triplex $95.00 Triplex $95.00 Four-plex $ Four-plex $ More than four units $75.00 per building 10 per unit More than four units $75.00 per building 10 per unit Follow-up Inspection – No Fee Follow-up Inspection – No Fee Failed Follow-up Inspection Re-inspection- Fees Will Apply. Two-Hour Minimum. Failed Follow-up Inspection Re-inspection- Fees Will Apply. Two-Hour Minimum. Two Year License Application Fees :

Inspection Process Initial Inspection- Listing Deficiencies and Compliance Timeframe. Initial Inspection- Listing Deficiencies and Compliance Timeframe. Follow-up Inspection-for Compliance Follow-up Inspection-for Compliance 1. No License Issued - Re-inspection Fees Will Apply. 2. Issue License - if Compliant 3. Issue Citation Re-inspection Fees at $50.00/Hour Two- Hour Minimum. Re-inspection Fees at $50.00/Hour Two- Hour Minimum.

Inspection Checklist

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 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

Inspections Required Every rental dwelling unit must be inspected. Every rental dwelling unit must be inspected. The owner or agent shall accompany the Inspector at least once during the license period. The owner or agent shall accompany the Inspector at least once during the license period. Exemption: Immediate Family Housing: means close relative by birth or marriage including siblings, parents, children, in- laws, and any financial dependents Exemption: Immediate Family Housing: means close relative by birth or marriage including siblings, parents, children, in- laws, and any financial dependents

What are the Housing Code Standards? Exterior Standards Exterior Standards Standards for Basic Services Standards for Basic Services Structural Standards Structural Standards Interior Standards Interior Standards Standards for Rodent Control Standards for Rodent Control Fire Protection Fire Protection Occupancy Standards Occupancy Standards Weatherization Requirements Weatherization Requirements

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. 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. 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. Inspections conducted as the result of a complaint made to the City may not be waived under this provision.

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 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. A license may not be issued or renewed unless the owner of rental units agrees in the application to permit inspections pursuant to Section 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. 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.

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. 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. All electrical equipment shall be of an approved type. Temporary wiring, extension cords or drop cords are not allowed for permanent wiring. 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. Multi-plugs adaptors such as cube adaptors and unfused plug strips or any other device not complying with the electrical code shall be prohibited.

Common 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 Deficiencies Unstable corner

Plumbing 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 Deficiencies Chimney Structural Failure

Handrails Missing Handrail Code Compliant Handrail Required

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. 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.

Furnace/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 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. 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.

Bathroom floor rotting.

Bathroom ceiling blistering.

Mold on Ceiling of Bathroom

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. 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.

Torn patio screen.

Glazing Missing

Torn screen.

Unsecured and Broken

Broken lower front window and paint failing.

Missing door handle.

Substandard Housing Sanitation Issues, Fire Hazard, Egress Concerns

Housing Code For more information please visit the city website at: For more information please visit the city website at:ci.hastings.mn.us