Occupancy permit for rental houses ???

[fastfredracing]

With my monthly water bill for one of our rental units, there was also an extra piece of literature stating that as of april 1st, any rental units in the city of Pittsburgh , will be required to have an occupancy permit. It says that the cost of application will be 12 dollars. I wonder if we are going to have to go through inspections etc.. I am supposing that the city of Pittsburgh just found another creative way to strip us of some more profit.
I am fearing that there will now be a zoning officer up our arse. Actually our places are pretty nice, but anytime I have had to deal with local gov't, it has not been a pleasant experience.
Any of you landlords have occupancy permit requirements in place in your state/city?? . What sort of hoops do they make you jump through to get one??
I was thinking of Ignoring the letter, and playing stupid, but the penalty for non compliance is $1000.00 per unit. What a racket !!

[Dantilla]

Around here, an Occupancy Permit is simply proof that the building passed its Final Inspection after construction. While it is required on all buildings, there are plenty of homes where the family just moves in when the house is done.

It is possible that in case of something unfortunate, like a fire, the insurance company will verify if it had a Certificate of Occupancy, and if not, deny any claims.

Your house may already have this. Either with the stack of closing documents, or maybe the City/County has it in their records.

...Or maybe this is a new requirement to squeeze more money out of the "Rich landlords".

[mudman]

In Pontiac, MI the rental permit requires that the house be up to current codes and standards ie GFCIs, grounded outlets, non killer glass for doors, etc. The rental inspector is also the building inspector

[BReyes]

Same thimg here in Florida, OC issued day one. They're taxing your rentals.

Here there are issues with the total no of times can rent and charge more accordingly but prices are low again and common knowledge can lease annually a 500k home for 1000 mo.

Regards,

[Porsche-O-Phile]

If you or anyone else is living in the structure without a Certificate of Occupancy, your problems are just beginning... The local authorities could (if they wanted to) immediately red-tag the entire dwelling if they determine it was built without required permits. At the very least, they could (and probably would) make your life very miserable (and expensive).

I can't imagine that this would be the case - it sounds like just another money-making racket that's simply specific to rental properties. The C of O is issued after final inspection typically. I'd be REALLY surprised if your place didn't have one. You should verify this.

EDIT: If it is a new "rental tax" of sorts, why couldn't you just have your tenants sign a piece of paper saying that they are "guests" (not tenants), staying in/on the property at your invitation and subject to your rules (not a "least" per se, call it something else). Also saying that any monies paid to you are voluntary and for the purpose of defraying operating costs. Might this allow you to sidestep some of the usually draconian landlord/tenant stuff - not to mention this new fee?

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by mudman

In Pontiac, MI the rental permit requires that the house be up to current codes and standards ie GFCIs, grounded outlets, non killer glass for doors, etc. The rental inspector is also the building inspector

Which is a good thing. The local "slumlord" has been known to wire houses with extension cords. There have been numerous fires resulting.

[gr8fl4porsche]

In the City of St. Louis, rental units have to obtain a certificate of occupancy everytime a tenant moves in unless it is within 1 year of the previous inspection. They cost $100 or so and look at the water, heating, electrical, exterior paint, handrails, etc.

If you have a nice building the inspection takes about 3 minutes, if you are a slumlord they will make you fix all life safety items including lead paint.

Not sure about rental units in the surrounding counties.