Residential Rental Housing Inspection Program

Residential Rental Inspections

The City of Winterset recently launched its Residential Rental Housing Inspection Program. The purpose of this code is to provide safe and sanitary housing conditions for the residents of Winterset by establishing minimum standards and regular inspections for all residential rental housing units in Winterset. The authorization to carry out this program is set out in the Winterset Municipal Code, Title IV, Chapter 17.

Administrative Policy

The Residential Rental Housing Inspection Administrative Policy outlines how the City of Winterset will administer and enforce its Residential Rental Housing Inspection Program. It establishes procedures for registration, inspections, compliance, and complaints to ensure safe, healthy rental housing. The program includes regular inspections, defines violations, and sets standards for maintaining rental properties, with penalties for non-compliance and an appeals process for disputes.

Property Registration

All rental properties in the City of Winterset shall be registered on an annual basis in accordance with Winterset Municipal Code Chapter 4.1706. Annual registration is required so that the City has the most current contact and ownership information. By registering a property as a rental property, this does not replace the requirement of a current Residential Rental Certificate. Additionally, by filing a registration form with the City, the owner is granting consent to an inspection of the rental property by the City for the purpose of determining compliance with this Residential Rental Housing Inspection Program. Registration forms shall be provided and records maintained by the City of Winterset. A receipt of registration will be provided to the property owner or owner’s representative at the time of registration.

Inspection Process

The standard schedule for the inspection of all rental properties shall be once every two (2) years. As an incentive for compliant owners, defined as properties that pass the first inspection with no noted concerns from the inspector, shall require inspection in three (3) years in lieu of two (2). If a property fails the initial inspection but passes the first re-inspection, it shall be moved to the standard inspection schedule (once every two (2) years). Rental properties that require more than two (2) re-inspections before passing will need to be inspected every year until they pass on their first inspection, at which time they will move to the standard inspection schedule.

Property owners are responsible for scheduling their inspections a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date of their current RRC. If the inspection is not scheduled and the RRC expiration date has passed, the property shall be subject to late fees and penalties.