(A) Each rental unit and/or premises within the city is subject to inspection by the Rental Housing Officer or his or her designee in accordance with this chapter. As of January 1, 2012, whenever the Rental Housing Officer or his or her designee receives information creating a reasonable belief that a non-exempt rental unit or premises violates any of the standards of this chapter (including non-registration of a rental unit), the Rental Housing Officer may conduct an inspection of the rental unit or premises.
(B) Unless waived by either the owner or tenant, the following procedure shall be used to obtain entry to rental units and premises for the purpose of inspection. The Rental Housing Officer shall cause written notice to be mailed to the owner or his or her agent of the rental unit or premise setting forth the date and time scheduled for the inspection together with the appropriate inspection application. The owner or his or her agent shall have ten days from the notice issuance date in which to submit a complete and accurate inspection application to the Rental Housing Officer. In the inspection application, the owner shall include a current list of tenants for each rental unit to be inspected and shall indicate whether the owner and all tenants consent to an inspection of the rental unit(s) or premises.
(C) The owner shall be responsible for granting access to each rental unit or premise to the Rental Housing Officer or his or her designee. In the event the owner and/or tenant refuses entry to any given rental unit or premise for inspection pursuant to this chapter, the appropriate court of Porter County shall be utilized by the city to obtain a warrant for entry and inspection as provided in this chapter. If the owner and/or tenant does not consent, the Rental Housing Officer shall request a search warrant from a court of appropriate jurisdiction to conduct an inspection of the rental unit to determine whether the rental unit complies with this chapter. The Rental Housing Officer, or his or her designee, shall conduct an inspection, as authorized by such search warrant. The Common Council has determined that the inspections provided in this chapter for all rental units constitutes a reasonable method to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.
(Ord. 14-2011, passed 4-11-11)