HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.c. Discussion of Rental Housing Inspection ProgramAGENDA ITEM: Discussion of Rental Housing Inspection
Program
AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Kim Lindquist, Community Development
Director
AGENDA NO. u
ATTACHMENTS: Rental Housing Fact Sheet, Map of
Rental Units
APPROVED BY:
EF
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Provide Staff Direction
4 ROSEMOUNT
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Work Session: December 13, 2006
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DISCUSSION
The Community Development Department has begun research on the possibility of creating a rental
housmg program for the community. Over the course of the Last several years there have been
penodic discussions about ensuring the quality of our neighborhoods through reinvestment and
maintenance The previous City Council initiated the code enforcement program and the sequential
enforcement process to aid in maintammg standards m the community. More recently staff has
conducted some target madmgs on Dakota CDA programs that could provide low mterest loans for
income qualified residents who need assistance with inside and outside maintenance and upgrades.
As the next step m this effort, staff is raising with the Council the possibility of initiating a rental
housing inspection program to further the City's goals.
The Building Inspection Division has compiled information on Rental Housing Programs in
surrounding communities. Communities with some older housing stock like Hastings, Burnsville,
and St. Louis Park have programs for rental inspection; newer communities such as Eagan,
Lakeville, and Apple Valley do not. Fees for the program range from$25 -50 per unit. The fee covers
the initial inspection and follow -up inspection to ensure the site has been brought into comphance.
The programs are for any rental, regardless of whether they were constructed as rental units or were
initially built as single family dwelling units.
Preliminary information, based on County records, indicates that there are up to 600 dwelling units
in Rosemount that are rental, many converted from single- family homes Staff is proposing that a
rental program only deal with life /safety issues such as adequate heating, plumbing, and safe
construction such as the presence of handrails The inspection would be for any rental units, either
within a single family home or a multi -family complex.
The intent of the program is not to discourage the operation or growth of rental units but to ensure
they are properly maintained on the exterior so they do not suffer from neglect and on the inside so
tenants have acceptable, habitable conditions With absentee landlords there may be a greater chance
that dwelling umts may fall into disrepair at a more accelerated rate.
At this time staff is requesting direction from the Council. Should the Council choose to investigate
a rental housing program, staff would begin to formulate the program. The entire program would
come back to the Council for further discussion. Ultimately an ordinance would need to be put in
place estabhshmg the program.
Rental Licensing Fact Sheet
The Community Development Department is researching the implementation of a
rental licensing ordinance for the City of Rosemount. There are many reasons for such a
program to exist within the City of Rosemount.
1. To ensure living accommodations meet the minimum life and safety
codes. The Building Department would perform inspections of the properties
to check for a variety of life safety measures. For example: properly placed
and working smoke alarms, hand rails, and mold.
2. To ensure the properties are being properly maintained according to City
Code. The Code Compliance Specialist would perform exterior property
inspections for compliance.
3. To minimize rental complaints. In performing sequential inspections of
rental properties, the City is able reduce the number of complaints.
4. To keep tract of rental property owners and managers. The proper
channels are available in order to ensure that compliance is maintained.
The typical license is for one year with inspections taking place when the license is renewed.
Typical Fees range as follows:
Single Family Rentals: $25 -50 for building license and 2 inspections
Multi Family Rentals: $75 -130 for building license and 2 inspections
for multiple units in one building, a $7 per unit additional charge is assessed.
Re- inspection fees: If a property files to comply within the 2 allotted inspections, a typical
re- inspect fee is $46 -67 per inspection.
City
Duration
Fee's
Re- inspection fees
Apple Valley
No
program
Burnsville
1 year
No fee assessed unless a violation
is present
$250 -$2000 based on violation
reoccurrences
Cottage Grove
1 year
SFD $40
Duplex $80
Multi family (3 or more units) $60
For building plus an additional $5
per unit
Covers 2 inspection
Eagan
No
program
Faribault
annually
$55 per building
fees are based per unit
0 -8 units $22
9 -14 units $20
15+ units $18
$50 Late penalty
$50 missed inspection penalty
Farmington
No
program
Hastings
2 years
SFD $25
Duplex $50
Multi Family (3 or more units)
$50 for building plus $3 per unit
Covers 2 inspections
$47 per hour with a 2 hour
minimum for all inspections
beyond the initial 2
inspections
Inver Grove
Heights
No
program
Lakeville
No
program
Northfield
3 years
$50 for license
$15 per unit inspection fee
Red Wing
1 year
SFD $80
Duplex $130
Multi Family (3 or more units)
$125 for building and $7 per unit
Initial fees cover 2 inspections
then a $67 re- inspection for
each mspection required for
compliance after the initial 2
inspections
Saint Louis Park
1 year
SFD $80
Duplex $130
Multi Family (3 or more units)
$125 for building and $7 per unit
Covers 2 inspections
Surrounding cities with a current rental housing program to name a few
Multi- Family Housing
Rental Units
December 2006
4 ROSEMOUNT
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