(a) The owner or his agent shall contact the occupant and arrange a joint inspection of the premises to occur within ten days of occupancy of the rental unit. The owner or his agent and the occupant shall at that time jointly complete an inventory and damage list, and this shall be signed by all parties to the tenancy agreement. Duplicate copies of the inventory and damage list shall be retained by all parties and shall be deemed a part of the tenancy agreement.
(b) The owner or his agent shall contact the occupant and arrange a joint inspection of the premises to occur at the end of the occupancy and prior to the occupancy of the next occupant. Any damages to the rental unit shall be noted on the inventory and damage list, and the list shall thereupon be signed by the parties. If the parties can agree to the cost of repair, such portion as is due the occupant shall be refunded within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery and possession.
(c) (1) The owner or his agent shall have a duty to initiate the joint inspections; however, both the owner or his agent and the occupant shall have an affirmative duty to make a good-faith effort in scheduling joint inspections. In the event the owner or his agent is unable to schedule an inspection with the occupant through contacting the occupant by telephone, personal message or personal contact, the owner or his agent may show compliance with this section by producing the following: a copy of a letter to occupant stating the time and place of inspection; and a normal business record showing that this letter was mailed to the occupant by first class mail at least two days prior to the date of the inspection.
(2) If the owner or owner's agent cannot arrange a joint inspection pursuant to the above procedures, the owner or agent shall complete the inspection, noting on a signed and dated inspection report any damages that exceed normal wear and tear. A copy of the report shall be provided to the tenant.
(d) The owner's or agent's copy of all inspection reports shall be retained for a minimum of the present lease period and the two subsequent lease periods, or for a period of four years, whichever is less.
(Ord. 8-09. Passed 3-2-09; Ord. 13-14. Passed 9-15-14; Ord. 14-17. Passed 6-19-17.)