Rental Inspection Program Considered

City leaders are considering the creation of a rental inspection program they hope will improve housing conditions and boost the image of the city.

“We have a multitude of rental properties where we do have some concerns with the health and safety of the people who live there,” said Councilman David John Shawver, who is pushing for a rental inspection program. “We have code violations; we have litter; we have unsafe conditions. And these unsafe conditions directly affect the human beings that live in these homes.

“Unless we’re able to monitor that and rectify that, I don’t think we’re doing justice to the community.”

The city has reviewed a rental housing inspection program in Azusa as a possible model. There, all residential rental properties must be registered with the city and inspected once a year. The fee is $60 for single-family homes and $60 plus $4 per unit for apartment buildings. The interior is not routinely inspected, unless a tenant requests it or the inspector suspects a problem. If the tenant denies entry, the inspector must obtain a court order.

“I see this as having a great potential to make the city a safer residential commodity for the rental community out there,” Councilman Harry Dotson said.

City officials also plan to review Santa Ana’s Proactive Rental Inspection Program. All rental housing in Santa Ana is inspected at least once during a four-year cycle.