SB 488

RESIDENTIAL RENTAL INSPECTIONS Present law authorizes t he governing body of a municipality to adopt an ordinance to inspect residential rental dwelling units that are either deteri orated or in the process of deteriorating for compliance with applicable local housing, building, plumbing, electrical, fire, health or related codes and to promote the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. Such an ordinance must comply with all of the following:  Inspection district s : The dwelling units must be located in a residential rental inspection district established by the local governing body .  Notice : The public authority must make reasonable efforts to notify owners and parties in interest of residential rental dwelling units in the designated district regarding the adoption of the residential rental inspection ordinance.  Inspections : The public authority is authorized to make initial inspections upon written notice of dwelling units that are deteriorated or are in the process of deteriorating. The authority is also authorized to make periodic inspections following an initial inspection.  Exemptions : After an inspection where no violations were found or if all violations were remedied, a dwelling unit must be provided an exemption from further inspection for a minimum of four years. Such exemption may be revoked if the dwelling unit becomes in violation during the exemption period.  Public officers : The residential rental inspection ordinance adopted by the governing body of the municipality may authorize a public officer to exercise the ordinance's powers .  Fees : A local governing body may not establish a fee schedule to administer a residential rental inspection ordinance . However, the above present law regarding residential rental inspections only applies to Goodlettsville, East Ridge, Oak Ridge, Davidson County, and Shelby County. This bill deletes the provisions that limit the scope of such authority to only the above cities and counties, making the authority to adopt an ordinance, in accordance with the above procedures and conditions, available to any municipality in this state. REPAIRING UNFIT STRUCTURES W henever any municipality of this state finds that there exi sts in such municipality structures that are unfit for human occupation or use , present law confers power upon such municipality to exercise its police powers to repair, close or demolish the structure , after a certain procedure is followed, including noti ce and a hearing. If, after such notice and hearing, the public officer determines that the structure is unfit for human occupation or use, the public officer must state in writing such findings and serve an order on the owner for repair. If the repair, alteration or improvement of the structure can be made at a reasonable cost in relation to the value of the structure, such order must requir e the owner, within a specified time , to repair, alter or improve such structure to render it fit for human occupat ion or use or to vacate and close the structure as a place of human occupation or use . This bill revises the options presented to the owner so that the owner may only heed the order by rendering it fit for human occupation . The option that the owner may render the structure fit for human use or vacate and close the structure is removed.