RENTAL INSPECTIONS
Q. Do I need to get the forms or do you give them to me?
A. I will provide you with everything you need, especially if you register online (which I highly recommend). I will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
Q. How much will an inspection cost?
A. Rental inspections cost $120 for Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Contact me for discounts on multiple properties.
Q. Should I register my property before the tenant moves in?
A. Technically yes. However in Baltimore County the tenant is required to sign one of the forms, so it's a bit of a Catch 22.
Q. How do I register my property?
A. In Baltimore City, you must register online. In Baltimore County I strongly recommend registering online, but you can also do it by mail or in person.
Q. How long is my rental license good for?
The rental license is good for two years in Baltimore City, three years in Baltimore County.
Q. What do you look for?
A. As an officially licensed provider of home and rental property inspection services in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, I am required to look for the following:
A smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm on every level (hardwired in Baltimore County, hardwired or sealed battery in Baltimore City).
Electrical system has no apparent visual hazards
All plumbing is functional with no apparent visual hazards
All combustion appliances are properly vented (for example: furnace, hot water heater, dryer)
Secondary means of escape from sleeping areas exist with no exterior health or safety hazards
Q. What if I don't register my property?
A. A person who owns and rents a dwelling unit or a portion of a dwelling unit without a license may be subject to the denial, suspension, revocation or non-renewal of the license or civil penalties of $25 per day for each day a violation occurs and $200 per day for each day a correction notice is not complied with, and there will be a $1,000 fine for not complying with the Rental Registration Law. To be in compliance in Baltimore City or Baltimore County, you must get home and rental property inspection services from a licensed and approved company, like Central Inspections.
Q. The guy at Home Depot told me battery operated smoke detectors are acceptable in Baltimore County as long as they have 10-year lithium batteries.
A. He is wrong. It says right on the rental inspection sheet they must be hardwired. In Baltimore City they are acceptable. I also recommend combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms for Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
Q. My electrician told me battery operated smoke detectors are acceptable in Baltimore County as long as they are interconnected.
A. He is also wrong. It says right on the rental inspection sheet wireless interconnection is acceptable as long as the smoke detectors are hardwired. In Baltimore City smoke alarms are not required to be interconnected.
If you still have unanswered questions, contact Baltimore’s most trusted home and rental property inspection services company, Central Inspections at 443-629-0893 or click here.
