MOLINE, Ill. — Moline is bulking up its rental housing inspection program for 2024 after it was approved at a Nov. 21 city council meeting.
Currently, only large, multi-family rental complexes are subject to annual inspections, which are done by fire department personnel. The city's new inspection program will now include all rental properties within Moline, including single-family rentals.
Every year, landlords and rental property owners will be required to register online for a license and will then be assessed an inspection fee based on the total number of units. After the inspection takes place, the property will receive a rating of either A, B or C.
The inspection fees will fund the program, which are subject to landlords and tenants. According to the city, taxpayer money will not cover the cost.
“The goal is to bring up the overall quality of the city’s housing stock, ensure the safety and health of tenants and improve the overall quality of neighborhoods,” Moline Community & Economic Development Director Chris Mathias said in a press release.
Initial licensing fees are due on Jan. 2, but full implementation of the expanded inspection program will not occur until the spring.
All rental properties will be assessed a $100 fee and then an extra $15 for each additional unit. For example, a single-family rental will have a $100 fee, while a 10-unit complex would be charged $235 annually.
Common violations that are normally found during inspections include the following:
- Property foundation in poor condition
- Chipped, peeling paint on exterior walls
- Major cracks in walls
- Damaged, worn roofs
- Broken, damaged gutters and downspouts
- Broken, damaged, or missing stairs and handrails
- Rotten, broken decks and balconies
- Damaged garage and carports
- Unclear exits
- Fences, gates in disrepair
- Electrical service panels, meters, and enclosures in bad condition
- Grass, weeds that meet or exceed the length of 10”
- Garbage, junk in the yard/ boulevard without a special trash pickup
More information on Moline's Rental Program can be found here.
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