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Apt For Rent:
Rental Housing
Codes &
Inspections
Darrell Bullock, City of Sioux City; Scott Olesen, City of
Storm Lake; Frank Tenuta, Iowa Legal Aid
Iowa League of Cities 2012 Annual Conference & Exhibit
Handouts and presentations are available online at
www.iowaleague.org
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Building Official: Scott Olesen
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Complaints from tenants and public agencies regarding
sub-standard conditions.
Concerns about the safety and sanitation of rental housing.
A desire to maintain our housing stock.
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“To provide safe and sanitary rental housing within the City of
Storm
Lake through a fair and equitable, revolving inspection
process.”
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Started 1999
There are currently 437 registered rental properties in Storm
Lake which contain a total of 1,152 rental units.
Inspectors: Fire Fighter, Code Enforcement Officer, Fire Chief,
and Building Official.
Properties are inspected once every three years.
City Ordinance 5-8.
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Amended version of the 1994 Uniform Housing Code published by
the International Council of Building Officials.
The most current existing housing code is the 2012 International
Property Maintenance Code, published by the International Code
Council.
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Registration Timeline Program Fees
Registration Notices sent – June 1
Registration Due by – August 31
Late Registration Fee Imposed – September 1
Municipal Infraction Period Begins – October 15th
Registration fee is $15.00 per structure
Plus $7.00 per unit for all units over 1
$50.00 Late Registration Fee
$50.00 No Show Fee $35.00 Re-inspection fee Municipal
Infraction
Costs ◦ 1st - $75.00 ◦ 2nd - $125.00 ◦ 3rd - $200.00
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Single Family Home
$15.00 annual fee
Total Cost $15.00/year
10 Unit Apartment Complex
$15.00 annual fee
$63.00 unit fees ◦ $7.00 x 9 units
Total Cost = $78.00/year
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Letter of inspection mailed to owner ◦ Includes date & time
of inspection at least 2 weeks from
date of inspection. ◦ Notice to tenants in English/Spanish/Lao
of upcoming
inspection will be provided for property owners use. The City
does not notify tenants.
Inspection ◦ Violations of smoke detector minimum standards will
be
allowed 24 hours to correct. ◦ All other violations will be
noted, copy of violations
provided. ◦ Re-inspection date and time set (60 day
allowance
unless life threatening). ◦ All portions of the building must be
open to the
inspectors. Failure to have access to a portion of the building
will require additional visits and re-inspection fees charged.
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Re-inspection held ◦ Inspect units and property to ensure
that
compliance has been achieved on ALL noted violations.
◦ Any remaining violations may be subject to municipal
infraction and cited at the time of re-inspection.
◦ The first re-inspection will be done at no cost. A $35.00
re-inspection fee will be charged for each subsequent
re-inspection.
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Missing or non-operating smoke detectors. Electrical panels
which are not labeled. Electrical panels which are over fused. An
example would be a panel which has 30 amp fuses installed where a
maximum of a 15 amp fuse is allowed. Improper use of extension
cords. Missing or broken electrical outlet and switch covers.
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Unenclosed lights in clothes closets. Fire extinguishers which
are missing, discharged, or have not been inspected yearly. Wire
splices not in a junction box or in an uncovered junction box.
Tenants occupying parts of the dwelling which are not intended for
occupation such as basements without windows, or windows not sized
for egress. Missing or corroded flues on water heaters or furnaces.
Property maintenance code violations.
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Bugs
Asbestos
Lead based paint
Noise complaints between tenants
Mold
Floor coverings and paint colors
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Set realistic goals for what the program can achieve.
Realize that it is an ongoing process.
If you are thinking about fees, implement them when you start
the program.
Be prepared to have an educational program for the
landlords.
Have a process in place for dealing with complaints by tenants
regarding landlords.
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Scott Olesen
Phone: 712-732-8002
Email: [email protected]
International Code Council-Publishes the International Property
Maintenance Code
Website: iccsafe.org
Iowa Association of Housing Officials-Provides training for
existing housing inspectors.
Website: iaho.org
mailto:[email protected]
