Violations

Checklist of Common Violations

As a landlord, you have the responsibility to maintain your rental unit(s) in compliance with applicable codes and provide a minimum standard of living. In an effort to assist you, we have put together a list of common violations that you may look for prior to our inspection. Listed below are the most common violations.

  1. State law requires smoke detectors should be located in the hallway by each sleeping room for older dwellings. Smoke detectors should be located in the hallway by each sleeping room, in each sleeping room, in the mechanical room, and basement near the furnace in newer homes. Smoke detectors that do not work at the time of inspection are an automatic failure.
  2. State law requires carbon monoxide detectors in every building that has an attached garage, gas stove, carbon (gas & fuel oil) fuel furnace, or wood-burning fireplace. Carbon monoxide detectors are required to be within 10 feet of all sleeping areas. Non-working carbon monoxide detectors at the time of inspection are an automatic failure.

If a re-inspection is required for either #1 or #2, an additional fee will be imposed, as the detectors are required to be operational at all times.

  1. Gas stoves are required to have all burners and pilot lights operable, otherwise this also is an automatic failure.
  2. Doors with pad lock hasps for locking shall be an automatic failure.
  3. Windows and doors that have torn screens, broken glass, broken handles, or not maintained at the time of inspection shall deem a correction notice to be issued.
  4. Storing of items within 36 inches of the electrical box shall deem the inspector to issue a correction notice.
  5. Electrical wiring and fixtures that are not properly secure to the wall or ceiling or any exposed wiring shall deem the city to issue a correction notice.
  6. Paint peeling, damaged siding of more than 100 sq. ft., or soffits and fascia that have rotted shall deem the city to issue a correction notice.
  7. Rain gutters and down spouts that have pulled away from building shall deem the city to issue a correction notice.
  8. The building shall not have an accumulation of trash, garbage, or junk.
  9. A house number is required on all houses as this number is used by police/fire/ambulance to locate your property in case of emergency.
  10. Misuse of extension cords or too many cords plugged into an electrical socket
  11. Ground fault interrupters (GFIs) if in the kitchen or bathroom must be operable.

There will be no charge for the re-inspection when correction notices are issued. However, if at the re-inspection the issue is not fixed and the inspector has to come back again, then an additional fee will be imposed.

The above list of violations is not necessarily all-inclusive, but does indicate the most common in St. James. While the scheduled inspections of the City of St. James are an opportunity for you to assure yourself that things are well with your property, they should not be relied upon to be the only check made on your rental unit(s).