Rental Inspections

Request an Inspection

New rental properties are inspected when you apply for a Rental Housing Certificate. This is an automatic 2-year inspection interval result. After that initial two years, routine inspections are also required.

The inspection frequency depends on a property’s score, based on the violations and will result in one of the following:

  • Every 4 years
  • Every 3 years
  • Every 2 years
  • Every year

Routine inspections can be scheduled any time after your renewal letter is sent. To stay in compliance, we highly recommend you complete the routine inspection before the rental certificate expires.

Request an inspection by submitting an Inspection Request form or calling (507)328-2600 during office hours.

Note: only the property owner or manager may escort the Housing Inspector through the rental property.

Pre-Inspection Rundown

  • Annual fire sprinkler inspections, if applicable
  • Annual fire alarm inspections, if applicable
  • Annual fire extinguisher inspections or new within the last 12 months (only required in buildings with 3 or more connected units)
    • In rooming houses and multiunit buildings, a common fire extinguisher can be used as long as it’s within 75 feet of the unit entry doors and no intervening staircases
    • If there is a fire extinguisher on the property, it needs to be new or have a valid inspection tag, whether it's supplied or tenant-owned
  • Smoke detectors are all less than 10 years old from the manufacture date and in every required location 
    • In every sleeping room
    • In the immediate vicinity outside every sleeping room (Recommend within 10 ft. of every sleeping room door to match CO detector requirements)
    • On every level (basement, main, second, attic, if accessible with a permanently installed staircase and finished
    • Installed on ceilings not within 3 feet of ceiling fan blades or vents. Installed on walls between 4 and 12 inches down from the ceiling (recommend measuring down 8 inches to the center of the mounting bracket)
    • Ensure hardwired smoke detectors stay hardwired and are not replaced with batteries, and likewise, hardwired detectors cannot be used in place of battery-only smoke detector locations
    • If the smoke detectors are wirelessly interconnected, make sure if/when they are replaced, they are still interconnected
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in place within 10 feet of every sleeping room door and less than 10 years old from the manufacture date
  • Ensure firewall penetrations are sealed with appropriate fire-blocking materials
    • Attached garage eilings and walls that adjoin the dwelling
    • Garage attic access panels and hatches
    • Mechanical rooms
    • Under-stair closets, if a door is installed on the closet
  • Egress windows, doors & pathways clear
      • Egress windows need to have the openable side fully clear and hardware must not be blocked (cranks and locks on casement windows)
      • Open area on egress windows must be at least 720 square inches for existing windows and 820 square inches for new or replacement windows. The minimum width of the open area is 20 inches and the minimum height is 24 inches. Sill height, measured from floor to bottom of open area of the window, must not exceed 44 inches on a new window. For existing windows, the sill height must not exceed 48 inches.
      • Basement egress window wells need to measure 3 feet by 3 feet minimum and if they are 44 inches deep or deeper, they must have a permanently affixed ladder. The ladder must not protrude into the window well more than 6 inches.
      • Egress windows and doors need to open fully, have a clear 3-foot-wide path to them and windows need to stay fully open under their own power
      • Self-closing devices on unit entry doors and fire doors need to fully close and latch the doors they are installed on
      • Tempered glass or film, if it is an old window, is required on windows that meet all four of these conditions:
        • The top edge of the window is more than 36 inches from the floor
        • The single window pane is 9 square feet or greater in area
        • The window is located within 36 inches of a walking surface
        • The bottom edge is 18 inches or less from the floor
      • Tempered or filmed glass is also required in bathrooms if the window is located within a bathtub/shower area, within 60 inches of the floor, and within 60 inches of the edge of the tub horizontally and within 60 inches of the floor.
  • Every entry door into a dwelling unit may have a deadbolt with a minimum one-inch throw (excluding sliding doors)
  • Sliding doors must have an appropriate latch set in place that allows the door to function, latch and lock (usually integrated into the latch)
  • All doors must be operable from the side of egress (inside) without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort
    • Dead bolts, chain locks or additional locking devices can be installed no higher than 48 inches off the floor
  • All windows within 6 feet of the ground outside must be equipped with a locking device
    • All windows equipped with a locking mechanism must remain intact with the manufacturer’s locking device
  • Permits are required for the replacement of every stationary appliance and the work must be completed by a licensed contractor
    • Water heaters
    • Boilers
    • Furnaces
    • Air conditioners (not including window or portable floor units)
  • All permits must pass a final inspection that is required to be scheduled by the permit holder before the permit can be closed
  • Permits are required for all remodel work where sheetrock is removed, walls are added or removed, electrical is added or altered, plumbing is added or altered, and mechanical if ductwork is added or altered
  • Backflow prevention
    • All backflow devices on domestic water supply lines, lawn irrigation supplies, automatic boiler fill lines & trash room water supply lines need to be tested annually
    • Handheld shower heads that allow the shower head to hang lower than the water line must have a built-in backflow protector or have a vacuum breaker installed where the hose connects to the supply pipe
    • Bidets must be listed as having a backflow device built into them or removed
    • Approved shower heads will have A112.18.1 stamped or printed on the shower head somewhere
  • Any plumbing leaks from drains, supply lines, showerheads, water heaters, etc., should be restored to a leak-free state
  • Aerators shall be installed and working properly on all faucets that come with them (kitchen faucets, bathroom vanity faucets, etc)
  • Bathroom exhaust fans, return air vents & furnace filters should be clean
  • Any loose or damaged flooring that could be a tripping hazard or be in such a deteriorated state that it cannot be cleaned or maintained should be repaired or replaced
  • Any tripping hazards (cords, cables, etc.) going across walkways should be routed in a fashion that prevents them from being a tripping hazard
  • Handrails on any set of stairs with four or more risers (steps) shall have a graspable handrail installed at a height between 34 & 38 inches from the nose of the stair and securely fastened that runs the full length of the stairs and has returns to the wall or finished surface to prevent anyone or anything from getting snagged on the open end of the handrail
  • Guardrails shall be installed on any open landing or stairs that are 30 inches or higher from the floor or ground below it at 36 inches or higher
  • Any peeling paint or surface with biological growth on it should be cleaned and or repaired
  • Garbage disposals, if installed, should function properly and have some kind of strain relief or clamp on the electrical cord where it enters the disposal
  • Stove burners should all be operational with drip pans installed if applicable and no aluminum foil on the drip pans or cook top surface or oven
  • No items should be stored within the oven
  • Over-the-range microwaves and range hoods should have functional lights, light covers installed, grease filters installed and be in a clean state
  • Dryer vents should be connected & properly installed
    • No diverters in the vent
    • No vinyl or plastic venting
    • No duct tape used at connections
    • No more than 8 feet of flexible ducting is used
  • All electrical boxes (switches, outlets, etc) should have proper cover plates installed to prevent accidental shocks
  • Breaker panels and fuse boxes should not have any open slots or large gaps where accidental contact with electrical components could occur
  • Ground fault interrupter (GFCI) outlets should be able to be tested and reset with the buttons on the GFCI outlet

Pre-Inspection Rundown By Room

  • Flooring throughout the home is in good condition, with no damage, holes, peeling, separation, fraying, etc.
  • No holes in walls, ceilings or doors
  • No peeling, flaking or blistered paint or texture
  • No fogged window glass
  • Screens in place on all windows & doors from June 1 to October 15 without damage. Grade-level windows must have screens installed year-round.
  • Egress paths must be free of obstructions; bedroom windows & doors, entry & sliding glass doors, etc.
  • All electrical plates for switches, outlets, etc., are in place
  • All GFCI outlets throughout the home test and reset
  • Light fixtures are properly installed with globes/ lenses and functioning
  • No missing light bulbs
  • No major appliances on extension cords or power strips; fridges, freezers, ACs, sump pumps, water softeners, laundry equipment, etc.
  • No cords ran in a way that they could pose a tripping hazard
  • Every level of a dwelling must have a smoke detector (basement, main, second & attics)
  • Fire extinguishers are required in every building with three or more units, within 75 feet of every entrance door or located in every unit
  • Fire extinguishers are required to be serviced and tagged yearly or replaced yearly
  • Ensure all smoke & CO detectors are not expired; 10 years old or older from the manufacture date
  • All buildings with RPZs, fire sprinkler, fire alarm panels & lawn irrigation backflow devices are to be serviced & tagged yearly
  • No flexible drain piping on any plumbing fixtures

  • Bathroom fixtures are secure & not loose
  • Tub & vanity fixtures not dripping when in off position
  • Pop-ups or screens present in the tub & vanity drains
  • Ventilation fans clean & operable
  • Toilet not running, flushes properly with a secure & properly fitting toilet seat
  • Toilet secured to floor
  • No biological growth on any surfaces: walls, ceilings, caulking, grout, etc.
  • Vanity cabinet doors & drawers in place and working properly
  • No leaks present in the bathroom
  • Hand-held shower heads have appropriate backflow protection if the shower head reaches below the water line
  • The tub diverter is fully operational, with no leaking when diverted

  • Egress windows are not blocked, can fully open and stay open (unless fully sprinkled)
  • Appropriate smoke detector present & operational
  • CO detector and smoke detector located within 10 feet outside of every bedroom and CO in every bedroom with a gas burning appliance in the bedroom (Note: New State Statute Section 299F.51 now employs different situational requirements)

  • Ensure the laser sensor for the auto reverse on garage door openers is working
  • If the garage is attached to the dwelling, make sure there are no holes or unsealed penetrations in the firewall between the garage and the dwelling
  • If your garage has an attic access panel, make sure it is fire-rated and in place (do not seal the attic access)
  • Check all outdoor light fixtures for bird nests built on or in the fixture and remove if present
  • Dryer vents should be clean, with backdraft flaps able to close and no installed screens or grids
  • Check the condition of siding: missing, rotting, holes, peeling paint, etc.  Check for missing soffit & fascia
  • Check around AC lines, gas lines and other penetrations to make sure they are still properly sealed
  • Check all paved surfaces for heaving, settling and/or separations of 1 inch or greater
  • Remove any junk, trash or debris from the exterior of the property
  • Trim back or remove any vegetation that is growing against or in any structures

  • Ensure garbage disposal works, has a strain relief/romex clamp on the cord, doesn’t leak & has a proper splash guard installed
  • Check the kitchen faucet aerator and drain for drips & leaks, and that it is secure
  • Ensure all burners on the stove work
  • Remove any foil on the stove top, in the oven and on burners
  • Make sure the range hood/microwave surface lights and exhaust fan work & covers are present
  • Check that grease filters are in place on the range hood/microwave & that it’s clean
  • Check all kitchen appliances to make sure there are no broken parts & replace/repair if there are

  • Furnace filter installed, correct size, clean and with cover in place
  • The temperature, pressure valve and drain valve on the water heater are not leaking
  • Water heater not leaking
  • The breaker panel has no open breaker slots
  • 36-inch clearance of stored items around the fuel-burning furnace and water heater
  • The breaker panel needs clearance of 30 inches in width and 36 inches in front of the panel. Sump pump cover in place
  • Dryer vent attached with no duct tape at the seams and no vinyl flex duct

  • Measure headroom on all stairwells to ensure it is 6 feet 4 inches along the entire plane of the stairs
  • Every habitable room must be at least 7 feet in length and width, with a minimum floor area of 70 square feet (excluding kitchens, which must be at least 3 feet between working surfaces and appliances)
  • Every habitable room must have a ceiling height of 6 feet 4 inches
  • Measure each egress window in sleeping rooms, ensuring the window is fully open and stays fully open, to ensure the minimum width, height, total open area and sill height requirements are met
  • Check egress window wells for debris, size and depth, ladder if required and easily removable cover if a cover is present
  • Tempered glass or film installed, if older windows, in all required hazard areas, 18” from the floor

Bring these items to your inspection:

  • 9-volt and AA batteries
  • Extra sink strainer
  • Disposal wrench
  • Furnace filter
  • Extra lightbulbs

Contact Us

City of Rochester

201 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

PHONE: 507-328-2311
FAX: 507-328-2901

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