San Luis Obispo’s Rental Housing Inspection Program launches in January with the first of three informational meetings.

Adopted by the City Council in May 2015, the program requires that all rental single family residences, duplexes, condominiums and second dwellings – which have less than three attached units – be registered and inspected every three years.

We want to make sure you and your neighbors have what you need to stay compliant. Below is a short run down of the program, need to know dates and costs, as well as links to information and necessary documents.

All property owners must register their rental unit(s) between January and April 2016; the registration form can be found here. There is a $65 fee per registered unit.

The inspections will begin on April 1, allowing property owners time to bring unpermitted construction or illegal units up to code prior to being inspected.

The first of three informational meetings will be held on Jan. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ludwick Community Center at 864 Santa Rosa St. The following meetings will be held on Feb. 11 and March 4, at the SLO Library Community Room at 995 Palm St., both will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

An estimated 5,000 units will be registered by April and the the City anticipates that approximately 700 inspections will be done in the first calendar year given the late start. City staff estimates that twice as many inspections, or around 1,400, will be completed annually following the first year. Priority in the first several months will be given to those who request an inspection as well as units that have had a code violation in the past three years.

Just as the property owner is required to notify tenants of the inspection prior to the date, the City will mail out inspection notification letters 30 days prior to the inspection date. The date can be rescheduled once without penalty and there is a $185 fee per unit inspected.

After passing a City inspection, the property owner is not required to have another inspection for three years. If the rental has no code violations in the following three-year period the property owner, or their designated representative, i.e. property manager, may apply to be part of a “self-certification” process for the next inspection.

Properties exempt from the program include:
• Mobile home units within mobile home parks regulated by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
• HUD Section 8 or equivalent housing units.
• Dwelling units owned or managed by a government agency.
• Units occupied by the registered owner or owners as recorded with the County of San Luis Obispo’s Clerk-Recorder’s office.

General inspection guidelines can be found here.

For more information visit the City’s Rental Housing Inspection Program webpage.