Rental violations

We explain how owners can support safe housing and avoid a higher license fee.

Overview

To protect renters, we check for:

To protect City resources, we check for:

Trash in yard of house

Housing and fire code violations

Use this tool to see when a violation started and if it has been resolved.
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Violations

Safety violations

Our inspectors check for these issues. They use these code numbers when they find safety risks.

Issue Code(s) What to check
Carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors HIS322, F70, HIS320 Check that detectors work and do not need batteries. A carbon monoxide detector must be within 10 feet of each bedroom.
Combustible materials F038, HIS335 Flammables cannot be near gas appliances. Flammables must be secured and stored. 
Doors, corridor openings F010 All doors in hallways and common areas are open and accessible. 
Exit (egress) stairways HIS331 Stairways to exits are open, safe and accessible.
Emergency lighting F015 Exits must have light if the power goes out.
Escape windows F291, HIS771, HIS772 Each bedroom below the fourth floor must have a window at least 20 inches wide by 24 inches high. Nothing should block the window.
Fire alarms F288B, F068 The building must have an alarm to alert all residents in case of fire. Each unit must be connected to the alarm.
Fire extinguishers F063 Check that all fire extinguishers work. Refill if needed.
Maintenance of extinguishing systems F092 Systems must be checked each year. Required repairs must be done by a licensed contractor. Keep records of maintenance.
Obstruction of exits prohibited F016 All exits must be open and not blocked by furniture, trash, or debris.
Open gas line HIS504 All gas lines must be capped.
Provide fire exits HIS261 Building must have the required number of fire exits.
Remove illegal appliance and fixtures HIS227 Any appliance or item attached to a ceiling or wall must be installed correctly. This applies to all areas of the property.
Repair or replace fire door HIS263 All required fire doors must close and latch on their own; they must be rated to have one hour of fire resistance.
Repair support system HIS251 Property structure must be sound and not in need of repair. This includes the foundation, beams, footing and joists.
Repair/remove illegal or hazardous wiring HIS417 All wiring must be installed to code. The building cannot have exposed or unsafe wiring.
Storage under exit stairways prohibited F027 This applies to buildings with four or more units. Storage under stairways must be protected by a barrier rated for one hour of fire resistance.

 

Quality of life violations

All units must be fit to occupy. Violations can include snow cleanup, ice cleanup, and lead orders.

Violation Code(s) What to check
Dwelling or garage open to trespass HISDOT, GOT On vacant property, make sure no windows or doors are missing or open to allow easy entry. This includes main buildings, garages and sheds.
Electrical violaton FH499 Electrical must be up to code and safe. Make sure all outlets and switches have covers. All light fixtures should work. There should be no exposed wiring.
Exterminate insects/vermin/rodents HIS737, FH737, HIS733 For properties with two or more units: deal with infestations and make sure there is no evidence of active pests.
Illegal bedroom HIS208, HIS226, HIS223 Rooms used for sleeping should be legal bedrooms (attics or basements may not be up to code). Using sheds or detached structures as bedrooms is also illegal.
Install or repair water heater HIS519 Water heater should be installed and working correctly.
Low Heat; MCO 244.430 HIS609 Between October 1 and April 30, heating system must be able to maintain a temperature of 68 degrees.
Over occupancy HIS230 Bedroom cannot have more people than allowed by ordinance.
Plumbing violation FH599 Fixtures must work as intended without leaks or hazardous water conditions.
Security doors FH210 All security doors to the outside must close and lock automatically. When let go in the open position, doors should close and latch completely.
Unsafe buildings F295, F166 Hazardous conditions can include fire hazards, being over-occupied, lack of easy emergency exits.
Snow/ice removal NA Snow and ice on public walkways must be cleared within 48 hours. Apartment and commercial buildings must be cleared within four hours.
Lead orders NA Must comply with any Health Department order to fix lead safety issues.

Nuisance violations

These issues can also cause a violation:

  • Trash
  • Tall grass
  • Overgrown vegetation
  • Solid waste orders and letters

Additional code violations

We also look for other violations to the Housing Code and Fire code.

Unpaid fines and fees

Unpaid rental license

We see if the rental license fee was paid by the due date.

Assessments and citations

We check for unpaid fines or fees issued at a property. That includes administrative citations.

We also look for work authorizations for unresolved issues like uncut grass or trash cleanups.

City proceedings

Re-inspections

We look for how many re-inspections we have done.

Action to revoke rental license

We see if the City is acting to revoke a license because of violations.

Letter of intent to condemn

We look for letters issued with the intent to condemn a building for lack of maintenance.

Contact us

Fire Permits & Registrations

Email

Email Fire Permits & Registrations

Phone

612-673-3000

Address

Fire Inspections Services
Public Service Building
505 4th Ave. S., Room 510A
Minneapolis, MN 55415