Rental Inspections
All residential rental properties need to be registered with the City of Storm Lake. The residential rental inspection program is set up on a three year rotation. The program moves in alphabetical order by street name with the numeric streets to follow. A letter to the property owner is mailed two weeks prior to the inspection, in the letter it sets the date and time of the inspection for the property owner. The property owner is responsible for notifying the tenants of the inspection and ensuring the unit is open for the inspectors. After the reinspection of the property, if the rental unit passes, a certificate is mailed to the property owner.
The following are items that are inspected:
SANITATION
Lack of, or improper
water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower.
Lack of, or improper
kitchen sink.
Lack of hot and cold
running water to fixture units.
Lack of adequate
heating facilities.
Lack of required
electrical lighting.
Lack of connection
to required sewage disposal system.
STRUCTURAL HAZARDS
Defective or
deteriorated flooring or floor supports.
Flooring or floor
supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
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Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety. |
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Members of ceilings, or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety. |
Fireplaces or
chimneys which list, bulge or settle due to defective material or
deterioration.
ELECTRICAL WIRING
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Control Panel - Access - Labeled - Openings - Proper over current protection - Electrical service sized to loads imposed |
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Outlets - Covered - Open wires/splices - extension cords |
HAZARDOUS PLUMBING
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Plumbing which has not been maintained in good condition |
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Plumbing which has cross-connections or siphonage between fixtures |
HAZARDOUS MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
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Water heaters and boiler which do not have the pressure relief valve piped to within 6 inches of the floor. |
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Fuel fired equipment (furnaces, boilers, water heaters) with missing or corroded flues. |
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Fuel fired equipment without a shutoff valve installed in the gas piping within 3 feet of the appliance |
FAULTY WEATHER PROTECTION
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Deteriorated, crumbling or loose plaster |
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Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls or roofs, including broken windows and doors. |
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Broken, rotted, split or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings |
HAZARDOUS OR UNSANITARY PREMISES
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Occupants responsible for accumulations of weeds, vegetation, junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rat harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials and similar materials or conditions on a premises constitutes fire, health or safety hazards which shall be abated. If occupant no longer resides at the property then the property owner is responsible. |
FIRE SAFETY
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All buildings or portions thereof which were not designed for occupancy |
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Improper number of exits provided for occupancy load |
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Class I and 2 flammable containers |
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Smoke Detectors |
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Fire Alarm Systems |
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Fire Extinguishers |
The municipal code provides for a Municipal Infraction being imposed for non-compliance with the Rental Inspection Code. The schedule of the penalties are 1st Offense - $75.00; 2nd Repeat Offense - $125.00; 3rd Repeat Offense $200.00.
This page maintained by the City of Storm Lake
Questions & Comments Contact: Sue Vossberg