Baltimore City
Rental Inspection
How Do I Rent in Baltimore City?
Baltimore City now requires ALL residential rental units to be registered, inspected, and licensed to ensure that they meet basic safety and maintenance requirements. Previously one- and two- family dwellings were not required to be inspected and licensed to operate as a rental. On August 1, 2018, a new law took effect requiring all Baltimore City rental properties, including one-family, two-family and multi-family dwellings, to be licensed to operate as a rental by January 1, 2019. If your property is not a rental but is non-owner-occupied it still must be registered annually.
In order to receive a rental license from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) the property must meet two requirements:
Be registered with DHCD using the online portal and
Be inspected by a State Licensed, Baltimore City registered Home Inspector.
How to have your Property Inspected?
Once you have registered your property, you must have it inspected by a State Licensed, Baltimore City registered Home Inspector. As a State Licensed, Baltimore City registered Home Inspector we are happy to assist you with completing your rental inspection, to satisfy Baltimore City requirements.
The inspector will be looking for basic life, health and safety items to insure the property is up to code and safe for the occupants and neighboring residents, including but not limited to electrical, plumbing, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, interior and exterior sanitary conditions, utilities, and lead paint. We recommend that you review the inspection form to understand the requirements and make any necessary repairs prior to the inspection.
All initial licenses are issued for a two-year period. When it is time for renewal you may be able to obtain a three-year license or be limited to a two- or one-year license based on your maintenance record and violation history.
What We Will be Inspecting:
- Railing is present for interior & exterior steps with more than 3 risers.
- Gas service is metered and active.
- Electric service is metered and active.
- Electrical live wires are not visible in living areas.
- Electrical outlets are protected by cover plates.
- Lighting fixtures are functional and switches protected by cover plates.
- Smoke Detectors are properly installed and operational.
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms are properly installed and operational.
- There is both hot and cold running water with the hot water having a minimum temperature of 110°F.
- Plumbing fixtures do not leak.
- All toilets properly flush.
- Property appears to be free of interior leaks from water supply and waste lines.
- Windows, which are designed to do so, open and close and have a working locking mechanism.
- All entry doors to individual units close and have a working locking mechanism.
- Exterior walls and interior ceilings, are free of openings that will allow the entry, into the home, of weather elements such as rain, snow, etc.
- Exterior gutter and downspout system is installed and designed to channel water away from the property.
- The property has an operable heat supply system.
- The interior of the property is clean and sanitary.
- The exterior is free of rodent burrows.
- Evidence suggesting a potential infestation of rodents, insects or other pests.
- If there is a bedroom in the basement, there is proper egress in case of fire.
- Any other readily observable problems that in an inspector’s opinion represent an immediate threat to the health and safety of occupant
To Schedule a Rental Inspection in Maryland, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, or a surrounding area, contact us today at 410-925-1055.