Purpose – State policy, reminder, conflict avoidance.
Attitude – Warning, Informative
For: La Crosse Landlords
From: City of La Crosse Clerk
Date: January 26, 2013
Subject: Reminder of Rental Inspection Requirements in La Crosse
All La Crosse residents who rent, let, or manage homes that are rented out should remember Chapter 8.06 in the Municipal Code, Residential Rental Property Mandatory Inspection, passed in 2003. Every five years, all residential rental properties are required to receive an inspection to ensure public health and safety codes.
In addition to the five-year inspections, the ordinance also states that inspections of specific residential rental units are required prior to the sale, transfer, mortgage, lease or other disposal to another of such units (sale). The ordinance does not apply to refinancing where there is no sale involved. Landlords who plan on purchasing rental properties in the near future should check records to ensure the property has been inspected prior to purchasing.
Background
This ordinance was adopted for the purpose of preserving and promoting public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare and prosperity of the people of the City and environs. For preserving and enhancing the general physical and aesthetic condition and monetary value of real property and neighborhoods.
This is done by establishing minimum housing and property maintenance standards for controlling and effecting the occupancy, use, maintenance and repair of all buildings and structures within the City of La Crosse which are operated, used, employed or utilized for the purpose of rental housing.
Methodology & Findings
From these mandatory inspections, the La Crosse Rental Inspection Crew has discovered over the years that there have been problems with buildings, structures, yards, and vacant areas. Some areas have been so unsafe, unhygienic, overcrowded, or inadequately maintained to the point of creating a menace to the health, safety, and general welfare of the people and a public nuisance or damaging influence upon the neighborhood.
The establishment and enforcement of minimum rental housing and property maintenance standards is necessary to preserve and promote the private and public interest.
Implementation
Every five years, inspectors will primarily look for serious life/safety code violations and filthy, neglected, ruined conditions that would render the building or parts below the desired standards. There is no fee for this inspection and one (1) follow up inspection to check for compliance with notices of violation. A Residential Rental Unit Inspection Certificate will be issued to the current owner for each unit that has been inspected.
The ordinance also requires inspections prior to each and every transfer of ownership of any residential rental housing unit. A fee for the inspection shall be applied via fee schedule shown below:
Attitude – Warning, Informative
For: La Crosse Landlords
From: City of La Crosse Clerk
Date: January 26, 2013
Subject: Reminder of Rental Inspection Requirements in La Crosse
All La Crosse residents who rent, let, or manage homes that are rented out should remember Chapter 8.06 in the Municipal Code, Residential Rental Property Mandatory Inspection, passed in 2003. Every five years, all residential rental properties are required to receive an inspection to ensure public health and safety codes.
In addition to the five-year inspections, the ordinance also states that inspections of specific residential rental units are required prior to the sale, transfer, mortgage, lease or other disposal to another of such units (sale). The ordinance does not apply to refinancing where there is no sale involved. Landlords who plan on purchasing rental properties in the near future should check records to ensure the property has been inspected prior to purchasing.
Background
This ordinance was adopted for the purpose of preserving and promoting public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare and prosperity of the people of the City and environs. For preserving and enhancing the general physical and aesthetic condition and monetary value of real property and neighborhoods.
This is done by establishing minimum housing and property maintenance standards for controlling and effecting the occupancy, use, maintenance and repair of all buildings and structures within the City of La Crosse which are operated, used, employed or utilized for the purpose of rental housing.
Methodology & Findings
From these mandatory inspections, the La Crosse Rental Inspection Crew has discovered over the years that there have been problems with buildings, structures, yards, and vacant areas. Some areas have been so unsafe, unhygienic, overcrowded, or inadequately maintained to the point of creating a menace to the health, safety, and general welfare of the people and a public nuisance or damaging influence upon the neighborhood.
The establishment and enforcement of minimum rental housing and property maintenance standards is necessary to preserve and promote the private and public interest.
Implementation
Every five years, inspectors will primarily look for serious life/safety code violations and filthy, neglected, ruined conditions that would render the building or parts below the desired standards. There is no fee for this inspection and one (1) follow up inspection to check for compliance with notices of violation. A Residential Rental Unit Inspection Certificate will be issued to the current owner for each unit that has been inspected.
The ordinance also requires inspections prior to each and every transfer of ownership of any residential rental housing unit. A fee for the inspection shall be applied via fee schedule shown below:
The ordinance required owners to register all of their buildings prior to September 01, 2003 with the Department. 2013 is the 10th year the ordinance has been in use, so many owners may need to begin scheduling their five-year inspection. Please make direct contact with the District Maintenance Inspector to schedule your inspection.
The ordinance requires that the Department and the owner separately (may be simultaneously) provide a minimum of ten (10) days prior notice of inspection to each tenant or resident of a building.
Inspector contact information, Maintenance Inspection Districts, additional blank forms and the ordinance are all available for downloading on the City’s web site.