(A) The Housing Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections pursuant to this subchapter or in response to a complaint that an alleged violation of the provisions of this subchapter or of applicable rules or regulations pursuant thereto has been committed, or when the Housing Inspector has valid reason to believe that a violation of this subchapter or any rules and regulations pursuant thereto had been committed.
(B) The Housing Inspector is authorized and directed to make inspections at any reasonable hour to determine compliance with this subchapter. For this purpose, the Housing Inspector is authorized to enter and examine any rental property or rooming house, yard or part or either and every owner, operator, occupant or agent shall give the Housing Inspector free access to it. Inspection may be postponed and/or rescheduled due to illness or other emergency or unforeseen circumstance.
(C) The Housing Inspector is hereby authorized to inspect the premises surrounding dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units, dormitory rooms and all other rental property subject to this subchapter for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance with its provisions.
(D) The Housing Inspector and the owner or occupant or other person in charge of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or dormitory subject to this subchapter may agree to an inspection by appointment at a time other than the hours provided by this subchapter. The owner, agent or person in charge must be present at all times during the inspection.
(E) The owner or occupant or other person in charge of a rental property dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or dormitory room upon presentation by the Housing Inspector of proper identification shall give the Housing Inspector entry and free access to every part of the dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, dormitory room or to the premises surrounding any of these. Before making inspections within a contiguous area, the Housing Inspector shall first consult with organizations representative of property owners and other residents of such contiguous area, if any such organization exist.
(F) If any owner or occupant or other person in charge of a rental property dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormitory room or a multiple dwelling or rooming house subject to the provisions of this subchapter refuses, impedes, inhibits interferes with, restricts or obstructs entry and free access to every part of the structure or premises where inspection authorized by this subchapter is sought, the Department of Housing may seek in a court of competent jurisdiction an order that such owner or occupant or other person in charge cease and desist with such interference. If any owner or occupant or other person in charge of a rental property subject to the provisions of this subchapter refuses, impedes, inhibits, interferes with, restricts or obstructs entry and free access to any part of the dwelling unit or premises where inspection is authorized by this subchapter is sought, the Housing Inspector is authorized to seek in a court of competent jurisdiction and order that such person in charge cease and desist with such interference. Such person may also be liable for such fines and criminal penalties as set forth in other sections of this subchapter.
(G) The Housing Inspector and the borough shall have the authority to institute any action permitted by law to enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
(2006 Code, § 11-210) (Ord. 6/5/2000, passed 6-5-2000; Ord. 2006-3, passed 7-10-2006) Penalty, see § 151.99