(a) The following procedure shall apply to inspections:
(1) Inspections shall be conducted by the Building Official during reasonable business hours. An Inspector must receive consent from the lessee/tenant (or if more than one lessee/tenant, a lessee/tenant), prior to undertaking an inspection. The property owner shall notify the lessee/tenant of the Township's request to inspect, making a good faith effort to obtain the lessee's/tenant's consent for the inspection, and upon such consent being obtained, arranging for the inspection by the Township. The Inspector seeking admittance shall notify the lessee/tenant, from whom admittance is sought, that lessee/tenant has the right to refuse entry, unless a properly issued search warrant is issued and served. Consent of the lessee/tenant is not required, and a property owner of the leasehold shall provide the Township access to the leasehold for inspection during reasonable hours if any of the following apply:
A. The lease authorizes an Inspector to enter the leasehold for an inspection;
B. The lessee/tenant has made a complaint to the enforcing agency;
C. The leasehold is vacant;
D. The Township serves an administrative warrant ordering the property owner to provide access;
E. The lessee/tenant has consented to an inspection and/or the property owner has made a representation that the lessee/tenant has consented to the Township's inspection.
Prior to a property owner entering the leasehold under the exclusive possession of the lessee/tenant, the property owner shall request and obtain permission to enter, except in the case of emergency, including but not limited to fire, flood or other threat of serious injury or death, whereupon the property owner may enter at any time. The property owner of a leasehold shall provide access to the enforcing agency to areas of the premises that are not part of the leasehold, such as common areas or that are open to public view without the aid of binoculars, aircraft or other similar devices.
(2) The inspection shall include a review of the units interior and exterior, basement, and common areas. The inspection is by visual observations only and will be non- destructive in nature. The scope of the inspection is in no way to be construed as a comprehensive inspection as generally performed for new residential construction.
(3) If, upon completion of the inspection, the premises appear to be in compliance with all applicable Township ordinances and/or State codes and the appropriate fee has been paid, the Township shall issue a license certifying inspection of the premises within ten days.
(4) If, upon completion of the inspection, the premises are found to be in violation of one or more provisions of applicable Township ordinances and/or State codes, the Township shall provide written notice of such violation(s) by first class mail to the property owner or manager, as the case may be, within ten days and shall set a reinspection date before which such violation shall be corrected. If such violation has been corrected within that period, the Township shall issue a license certifying inspection of the premises within ten days. If such violations have not been corrected within that period, the Township shall not issue a license or may suspend an existing license, as the case may be, and may take any action necessary to enforce compliance including; but not limited to, injunctive relief prohibiting occupancy.
(b) If the Building Official is denied access to the property to conduct an inspection as required by this chapter, said Building Official may apply for an administrative search warrant to access the property.
(c) Any person who owns any premises defined in this chapter shall be responsible for the maintenance of the structure and premises so as to comply with the applicable building, zoning, and property maintenance codes and/or ordinances.
(d) No person shall occupy, nor shall any owner allow a person to occupy, any premises defined in this chapter beyond sixty days after the revocation of an inspection license.
(e) Inspection reports, outlining the nature of rental inspections, shall be available at the Building Department for review. Said report is a guideline for inspections and is not intended to be all inclusive.
(f) Reinspection shall follow the same procedures as an original inspection.
(Ord. 357. Passed 9-12-05; Ord. 471. Passed 4-26-21.)