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16A Guide to Proactive Rental Inspection Programschangelabsolutions.org <br />Interior Inspections <br />The most comprehensive systematic rental housing inspection programs mandate interior <br />inspections of rental units, to ensure that the areas where tenants spend most of their <br />time are in safe and healthy condition. <br />Most municipal code enforcement departments have procedures and checklists that <br />identify what inspectors should look for when conducting an interior inspection of a <br />residence.119, 120 These materials, usually designed for complaint-based programs, can <br />be easily adapted for proactive rental inspection programs. However, the process of <br />implementing a systematic rental inspection program can also afford an opportunity to <br />review other aspects of code enforcement, such as the scope of interior inspections, to <br />ensure that the program effectively protects the health of residents. <br />Sampling formulas: Often, localities cannot devote all the resources necessary to inspect <br />every unit in multi-unit buildings. Instead, these localities may use sampling formulas. <br />In Sacramento, for example, the inspection of a multi-unit building includes all common <br />areas and a random sampling of no less than ten percent of rental housing units.121 If <br />the inspector determines that a property is in violation of any standard, the inspector is <br />authorized to inspect additional, or all, units of that property.122 <br />Seattle uses a different formula: in buildings containing 20 or fewer units, a minimum of <br />two units must be inspected. In buildings containing more than 20 units, 15 percent of the <br />rental units must be inspected, up to 50 rental units in each building.123 <br /> Practice Tip <br />Beginning a PRI program with <br />exterior inspections and vacant unit <br />inspections may be one strategy for <br />launching a program in communities <br />with obstacles to systematic interior <br />inspections. <br />RESOURCES FOR HEALTHY <br />HOUSING INSPECTIONS <br />U.S. Centers for Disease Control <br />and Prevention’s Healthy Housing <br />Inspection Manual, developed for <br />environmental health professionals, <br />inspectors, and others, has a visual <br />assessment data collection form <br />as well as a resident questionnaire. <br />The U.S. Department of Housing <br />and Urban Development (HUD) has <br />developed a rating tool for health and <br />safety hazards based on a tool used in <br />the United Kingdom.117 The Pediatric <br />Environmental Home Assessment was <br />created to assist health professionals <br />during home visits.118