Adelanto Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection and Maintenance Program

About the Program

The purpose of the Rental Housing Inspection Program is to address the issue of substandard rental properties, promote greater compliance with health and safety standards and preserve the quality of Adelanto’s neighborhoods and available housing. This includes educating property owners, property managers and tenants about those standards. The program achieves compliance of health, safety and welfare code violations in/on residential rental properties that are a threat to the occupant's safety, structural integrity of the building, and a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhoods.

Each rental property is required to be registered with the program. Properties not registered are subject to administrative penalties. The Adelanto Municipal Code (AMC) 8.40.090 allows for property owners that meet the minimum requirements to self-certify their properties after the first year’s initial inspection (Initial Phase). The property owner can request inspections be done by Code Enforcement. Cost recovery fees may be applied when violations are found.

To Register

Owners of rental property are required to submit a Residential Rental Dwelling Unit and Maintenance Program registration form for each rental property owned. The registration form is used to confirm the number of units on each parcel and to collect contact information such as current mailing address and phone number. Registration forms may be mailed to property owners or obtained in person by visiting Adelanto City Hall.

While we make every effort to contact current property owners, it is ultimately the owners’ responsibility to register each property whether or not they are contacted by the City.

Program fees

The Rental Housing Inspection Program collects fees to help cover the cost of the program administration and for the inspection(s) performed by the inspectors.

Additional fees would be imposed only if the property is not brought into compliance within 90 days of the initial inspection, if the inspection appointment is not kept by the owner or responsible party or if the annual fee is not paid to the City in a timely manner. Missed appointments or appointments not rescheduled within 7 calendars of the appointment date are subject to a fee of $67.

Detailed Information

Inspections

Once a property is registered with our program, it will be scheduled for an inspection. If violations are found during the initial inspection, the owner is given up to 90 days to make the corrections. If all violations are not corrected before the re-inspection, an administrative citation may be issued. Properties taking more than the allotted time given by the Code Compliance Officer to complete repairs are required to be inspected the following year and pay a $134 re-inspection fee.

Self-Certification Program

If no violations exist on the property at the time of the initial inspection or if the violations are corrected before the re-inspection, the Code Compliance Officer will mail an approved Certificate of Compliance to the property owner or agent and the property will be placed in the Self-Certification Program. The Self-Certification Program requires owners to perform their own inspections of each rental unit on an annual (calendar year) basis and upon any change in tenancy. Owners may request a copy of the check list be mailed to him or her or their agent or may obtain a check list by visiting Adelanto City Hall. The completed self-certification inspection checklists must be retained by the owner for a period of five (5) years from the date of the inspection(s).

Random Inspections of Self-Certified Properties

The Residential Rental Dwelling Unit and Maintenance Program randomly inspect 20% of the properties that have been Self-Certified to verify that the property is maintained. If the property is found in compliance, the property will continue in the Self-Certification Program. If the property does not pass inspection, it will no longer be eligible for the Self-Certification Program and will be subject to annual inspections until such time as it does pass inspection. The cost for any re-inspection is $134 per each unit inspected.

Local Contact Representatives

Property owners who reside outside of the Adelanto area are required to have a “Local Contact Representative” who must be available to attend inspections and respond to notices on the owner’s behalf. This person may be your property manager or agent of record. A space is provided on the registration form for the Local Contact Representative’s contact information and signature.

Residential Rental Inspection Program FAQ's

Why is the program necessary? This program is designed to proactively identify blighted, deteriorated, and substandard rental housing stock and to ensure the rehabilitation or elimination of such housing that does not meet minimum standards. These standards address not only life, health, and safety issues but also the results of deferred or inadequate maintenance.

What defines a property as being a rental property or unit? A residential rental dwelling unit shall mean a building or portion of a building that is rented or leased to tenants for residential purposes on a non-transient basis (when one (1) or more tenants reside on the property or rent or lease the property for thirty (30) consecutive days or longer) and which is owned in whole or in part by a landlord. This shall include but not be limited to single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes, apartment houses, townhouse dwellings, condominiums, boarding houses, lodging houses, rooming houses, single room occupancy units, small ownership units, hotel and motel units, sober living facilities, and dormitories in the City of Adelanto.

Are there any exceptions? No.

Who is responsible for registering the property? The property owner is responsible for completing the business license application annually and maintaining a business license separate and apart from obtaining and maintaining a Certificate of Compliance for the Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection and Maintenance Program.

Is there a fee charged for registration and inspection? There is both a registration fee and an inspection fee. The registration fee is paid annually for the registration of the property relating to the program and the inspection fee is paid for the initial inspection and for each subsequent periodic inspection. If code violations are observed during the inspection, re-inspection fees will apply at the time of the re-inspection. A business license is also required and is in addition to the annual registration fee and inspection fee.

How often will a rental unit need to be inspected? If there are no major violations at the time of the inspection, the next inspection will be five years from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. If violations are found but all violations are completely and fully corrected within thirty days after issuance of the Notice of Correction the next inspection will be five years from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. If violations are found and the violations are not completely and fully corrected within 30 days, the next inspection will be one year from the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. The date of the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance will become the anniversary date of the re-inspection.

How will the order of inspection be determined? Each Code Compliance Officers will inspect rental units in an organized and orderly fashion to inspect all of the rental units within the city. To whom will the payment be made and what are the alternatives? Payments are to the City of Adelanto. Payment can be made by personal check, credit card or cash at Adelanto City Hall – Finance/Water Counter. Are funds available for the property owners to initiate this program? Funds are not available at this time to supplement the cost of the inspection or identified repairs. When will inspections be done? Inspections will be performed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM by appointment.

Is the property owner required to be present during the inspection? The property owner or their designated representative must be present during inspections. It is the responsibility of the property owner to inform the tenants of impending inspections and to provide access.

Will tenants be allowed to attend the inspections? Both tenants and the property owners are encouraged to be present during the inspections. Informational exchanges are critical to the success of the program.

Will the property owner receive documentation of the inspection results? The property owner or agent will be furnished a copy of the correction notice, if any. Additionally, a "Certificate of Compliance" will be sent once all items have either been approved or corrected and approved.

Will additional fees be required if repairs are determined during the inspection? There is no charge for the first correction inspection (re-inspection) at each site. Beyond that, each additional inspection is $134.00. If payments are not received they will become a lien on the property.

How much time will be given to the property owner or agent to make corrections found to be unsatisfactory during the inspection? The property owner or agent will be given between one (1) and ninety (90) days to make corrections, depending on the nature and severity of the correction and/or violation.

Who will be performing the inspections? The City of Adelanto Code Compliance staff will perform all scheduled inspections.

How will I schedule an inspection? The inspection will be done by appointment. The property owner or their agent is required to schedule an appointment. It will take the Code Compliance Division approximately one year to inspect every rental unit within the City of Adelanto.

How long will an inspection take? Each inspection will vary according to the individual property. However, one should set aside a minimum of one hour for a single family residence and an additional ½ hour for each additional unit.

What preparations should be made involving animals prior to inspections? All pets will be confined or restrained in such a way as to eliminate any possibility of attack or escape during the inspection process. When a property passes an inspection and a complaint is made after the fact, will I have to go through the Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection and Maintenance Program? Complaints received after completion of a successful inspection are referred to the Code Enforcement Division. If a valid internal or external violation surfaces after a "Certificate of Compliance" has been issued, the owner will be required to abate the specific violation in order to remain in compliance.

Does the inspection take place both inside and outside of the residence? Yes, as there are numerous items that focus both on the interior and exterior of the rental property.

Will my older building be forced to comply with today's more stringent construction codes? No, your building is required to be maintained at a level consistent with the codes of the period in which it was constructed. However, construction improvements must coincide with the current codes as adopted by the City of Adelanto.

Do all units require smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors? Installed battery-operated smoke detectors will be required in each sleeping room, each hallway adjacent to the sleeping rooms, and at each floor level. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be located outside each sleeping area and on each level of a dwelling (including basements)

Is the property owner required to obtain permits for minor repair work? Repair work normally requiring permits will still require permits. However, many items usually noted for repairs are exempt from permits.

Does it matter who does the actual repairs? The property owner may do the work only if the property is a single family residence, a duplex, or an individual town home or condominium pursuant to the Uniform Building Code. A licensed general contractor or licensed trade specific contractor will acquire the appropriate permits as well accomplish the work if the owner does not do the work. Pursuant to the Uniform Building Code all other types of residential rental properties require that a licensed general contractor or licensed trade specific contractor acquire the appropriate permits as well accomplish the work.

What if during an interior inspection an Officer observes illegal substances or activities? It is not the intent of the Code Compliance Officer to impose upon the individual right to privacy of tenants or owners. However, Officers are required to report cases of possible child endangerment or abuse, animal cruelty or neglect, and situations which pose an immediate health and safety risk to the public.

What if the property owner ignores their required participation in the program? Pursuant to the Adelanto Municipal Code (AMC), any person who violates any provision of this Ordinance, or who fails to comply with any obligation or requirement of this Ordinance, is guilty of a misdemeanor.