(A) General. The interior of a rental building and its equipment shall be structurally sound and in a sanitary condition so as not to pose a threat to the health and safety of the occupants and to protect occupants from the environment. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure or premises which they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a rental building shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or common areas of the structure and exterior property.
(B) Structural members. The supporting structural members of every rental building shall be structurally sound and not show any evidence of deterioration which would render them incapable of carrying the anticipated loads.
(C) Interior surfaces. Floors, walls, including windows and doors, ceilings and other interior surfaces shall be maintained in good, clean and sanitary condition. Peeling paint, substantially cracked or loose plaster, decayed wood, peeling or loose wallpaper and other defective surface conditions shall be eliminated. All lead based interior painted surfaces shall be maintained in good condition. Chalky or peeling lead based paint surfaces will be repaired.
(D) Bathroom and kitchen floors. Every toilet, bathroom and kitchen floor surface shall be constructed and maintained to be substantially impervious to water and to permit such floor to be easily kept in clean and sanitary condition. This does not preclude carpet, provided that it is devoid of mildew, mold or other unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
(E) Free from dampness. In all rental buildings, cellars, basements and crawl spaces shall be maintained reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the rental building.
(F) Sanitation. The interior of every rental building shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish, refuse or garbage.
(G) Disposal of rubbish. Every occupant of a rental building shall dispose of all rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such rubbish in approved containers.
(H) Rubbish storage facilities. The owner of every rental building shall supply approved covered containers for rubbish, and the owner of the rental building shall be responsible for the removal of rubbish.
(I) Storage. Garbage or refuse shall not be allowed to accumulate or be stored in public halls or stairways.
(J) Stairs, ramps, landings, porches, decks, and balconies. All walking surfaces shall be maintained in good repair and capable of supporting anticipated loads.
(K) Exit facilities. All interior stairs and railings and other exit facilities of rental buildings shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair by replacing tread and risers that evidence excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose. Every inside stair shall be constructed and maintained to be safe to use and capable of supporting the anticipated loads.
(L) Handrails and guards. Every handrail and guardrail shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting anticipated loads and shall be maintained in good repair.
(M) Extermination. All rental buildings and rental units shall be maintained free of rodent and insect infestation. Where found, rodents or insects shall be exterminated using approved methods that are not hazardous to human health. Proper precautions shall be taken to prevent re-infestation after extermination.
(1) Owner. The owner of any rental building shall be responsible for the extermination within the rental building prior to renting or leasing the rental unit.
(2) Single occupant. The occupant of a one-family dwelling or a single tenant residential structure shall be responsible for extermination on the premises.
(3) Multiple occupancy. The owner of a rental building shall be responsible for extermination in common or shared areas of the rental building and exterior premises.
(4) Occupant. The occupant of any dwelling unit shall be responsible for the continued rodent and pest-free condition of the dwelling unit unless the tenant notifies the owner within 30 days of occupancy of such infestation and the infestation is not due to a pet in the dwelling unit; and under such circumstances, the owner shall be responsible for extermination. If infestation is caused by failure of an occupant to prevent infestation in the dwelling unit, the occupant shall be responsible for extermination.
(5) Defects in structure. The owner of any rental building shall be responsible for extermination of insects or rodents caused by defects in the structure.
(Ord. 14-2011, passed 4-11-11)