SB 1041

This bill makes various changes to the requirements relating to inspections of

rental properties. The bill eliminates an existing cap on inspection fees that

municipalities and counties may charge for rental property inspections, instead

allowing municipalities and counties to charge the actual cost of an inspection or

reinspection. The bill eliminates a prohibition on charging an inspection fee to a

landlord whose property is found to have a habitability violation, but who corrects

the violation within 30 days. Under the bill, regardless of the cause for the inspection

of a rental property—whether initiated by complaint or otherwise—the municipality

or county may charge an inspection fee if a code violation is found during an

inspection. The bill does not change current law that provides that if no violation is

found, the municipality or county may not charge a fee.

Under the bill, a landlord is required to allow a municipal or county inspector

access to the non-common areas of a rental property for any inspection initiated by

a complaint or under a rental inspection program permitted under state law. The bill

also eliminates a current law requirement that a tenant grant permission to enter

the non-common areas of a property in order for an inspection to be performed.

Under the bill, a landlord must provide notice to a tenant of an impending inspection

in the same manner the landlord would provide notice under current law to enter for

repairs or to show the property to prospective tenants.

Finally, the bill provides that rental property inspection fees charged by a

municipality or county are not subject to deduction from the municipality or county's

tax levy.