Rental Certification

Ensuring Safe Housing Standards for All Rental Property Located in the City of Kalamazoo
In order to help ensure safe, decent and sanitary rental housing in the City of Kalamazoo, a Rental Housing Certification program was put into place, requiring all rental housing to be certified prior to occupancy. It is the responsibility of the owner/agent to secure inspection and certification of all rental properties for compliance with Chapter 17, Housing Code, of the City of Kalamazoo Code of Ordinances The City employs nine full time Housing Inspectors with responsibility for over 17,000 registered rental units.

Responsibilities of the Landlord
It is the responsibility of the landlord to register all rental dwellings (also includes hotel, motel, residential cooperative, bed and breakfast or rooming house) with the City, and designate a responsible local agent. In most cases, the agent can be the property owner or other authorized representative as long as such agent is located in the County of Kalamazoo or within an approved zip code range (exception: off-campus target area properties, if owner does not act as agent it must be a qualified rental management firm, realtor, attorney or other professional approved by the City Attorney.)

Approved Zip Code Ranges for Responsible Local Agent

49001-12; 49014-20; 49024; 49026; 49034-35; 49041; 49045-46; 48050; 49052-53; 48055; 49060; 49062; 49065-67; 49070-72; 49074; 49077-84; 49087-88; 49097

The local agent will be responsible for ensuring conformance with City codes and all notices from the City regarding the property will be sent to said agent. The agent must ensure that the property receives a Certificate of Compliance prior to leasing the property.

Systemic Inspections
The City performs systematic inspections on all rental properties every two years. Although not required, prior to the expiration of a Certificate of Compliance, the city makes every effort to send the owner and/or responsible local agent notification of said certificate expiration and need for scheduling a systematic inspection. The agent should schedule the inspection well in advance of the expiration of the Certificate of Compliance. If the unit(s) is occupied, it will be the responsibility of the property owner/agent to inform and request permission from the tenant(s) in order for the inspection to be conducted. The tenant has the right to be present at the inspection. The assigned housing inspector shall inspect the property and shall provide a written correction notice for any items in violation prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance.  All follow-up activity to ensure compliance with the Housing Code is the responsibility of the designated local agent. A copy of the housing code is available for a small fee. The fee schedule for inspections is also available.

Housing Complaints
Between systematic inspections, the City may receive a complaint about housing conditions. If an interior complaint is received (generally from a tenant), that complaint will also be investigated. The City has the authority to request entrance from the tenant and/or agent to perform the inspection. A fee is charged to the owner for all valid complaint inspections. Exterior violations may also be received and are also investigated, and if valid a fee is assessed.
Cooperation with this ordinance is essential. Failure to register rental property and/or meet and maintain requirements of Chapter 17, Housing Code, will result in enforcement by the city, including fines and/or court action.

Property Maintenance
Many housing complaints the city receives involve exterior condition of the property. Proper care is required by both the property owner/agent and tenants to maintain property, both inside and out. Tenants should take care and treat rental property with respect and inform the landlord of any problems immediately. The yard should be kept neat and free of litter and accumulated junk, with grass mowed and snow shoveled. Garbage and trash should be placed in a dumpster or other approved container and stored properly in the side or rear yard. Bulk trash items should only be placed out one day prior to monthly pick-up.

For additional information regarding the Housing Code, housing inspections or the rental certification program, please call the City of Kalamazoo Code Administration office: (269) 337-8026.

All of the above information provided by the City of Kalamazoo.

City Code of Ordinance