The purpose of the program is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of those living in or near rental housing through the participation of owners, tenants, the city, and the community. Inspections must be conducted every three years in order to maintain an "approved" status on the City Of Bozeman Safe Rental Unit List. Property owners/managers and/or tenants are responsible to call for and schedule the voluntary safety inspections with the City of Bozeman Fire Department. This program is designed to give property owners the benefit of knowing if their rental units meet the minimum safety standards as set forth in the locally adopted building and life safety codes. Prospective and current tenants will benefit by knowing that their unit has been voluntarily inspected for safety code compliance. Additionally, ongoing inspections will help to preserve the quality of Bozeman's neighborhoods and the available rental housing. Smoke Detector Requirements All properties that meet the minimum safety standards will receive a “certificate of completion” and be added to the safe rental unit list on the City of Bozeman website as an “Approved” property having completed the inspection process. This certification will last for three years.
The scope of the inspection program will be limited to single family apartments and efficiency unit rentals located within the Bozeman City Limits. To register for the program and arrange an inspection, please contact the City of Bozeman Fire Department at 406‐582‐2350 City of Bozeman Voluntary Rental Unit Safety Inspection Initiative The City of Bozeman has established a Voluntary Rental Unit Safety Inspection Initiative. The program is intended to provide prospective renters with information on rental properties and units that have been voluntarily inspected for health and safety standards on the basis of accepted community safety guidelines. All inspections will be conducted using the life safety codes. Using these standards will help to consistently identify health, life safety, and routine maintenance concerns in existing structures. ƒ
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If safety and health violations of the code are discovered, property owners will have 30 days to make repairs. ƒ
Other than potentially dangerous health and life safety conditions, correcting the violations may be done on a voluntary basis. Potentially dangerous Health and life safety conditions must be corrected immediately. Violations subject to mandatory corrections will include; unsafe electrical, unsafe gas fueled appliances, inadequate means of egress, missing or not working smoke detectors, inadequate protection from the weather, lack of potable water, lack of adequate heating system, lack of an approved sewage disposal system and unsafe stairs and safety railings. In the above cases a Notice of Violation will be issued requesting the item be addressed immediately. If the property owner/manager chooses to not complete the voluntary repairs within the allotted time, the unit will not be added to the list of approved safe rental units. Inspection Checklist Continued Inspection Checklist
current versions of the locally adopted fire and ƒ
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The building address and apartment number must be clearly posted to facilitate emergency response from the fire and police department. Safe fire or emergency exits leading to a street or other safe location. o Note: Stairs, hallways and exits must be kept clear at all times. For each sleeping area, emergency exits including an emergency exit path that leads directly to the exterior of the building, (approved egress window or exterior door) must be provided. Smoke detectors located inside each sleeping area and areas giving access to sleeping areas. In addition, smoke detectors shall be located at each landing or level and in the basement. ƒ Note: Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are recommended in these locations. Electrical system, including an electrical panel accessible to each unit, lighting, wiring and equipment must be in good working order. Ground Fault Circuit‐Interrupter (GFCI) electrical receptacles should be provided in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Gas connections to appliances in good shape with a shut off valve located at each appliance. Heating equipment in good working order. ƒ
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Operable dead bolts or locks on the main entry doors and operable locking or security devices on windows. ƒ Note: Deadbolts and window locks should be easy to open from inside the apartment without needing a key or any special knowledge of the locking device. Floors, stairways and safety railings in good repair. Natural lighting in all habitable spaces through windows or skylights. Windows in habitable spaces must be able to be opened at least 50% for ventilation unless there is a mechanical system that provides fresh, outside air. Inspection Fees ‐ There will be no fee for the Voluntary Rental Unit Safety Inspection Initiative. Some violations subject to mandatory corrections, that may or may not have resulted in a Notice of Violation, may have associated building permit fees as part of the resolution process. CITY OF BOZEMAN
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BUILDING DIVISION
VOLUNTARY RENTAL UNIT SAFETY INSPECTION
INITIATIVE
1.
Introduction
The City of Bozeman is establishing a Voluntary Rental Unit Safety Inspection Initiative.
The program is intended to provide prospective renters with information on rental
properties and units that have been voluntarily inspected for health and safety standards
on the basis of accepted community safety guidelines. These inspections will be at no cost
and conducted, in most cases, by the Bozeman Fire Department.
2.
Purpose
The purpose of the program is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of those living in
or near rental housing through the participation of owners, tenants, the City, and the
community.
This program is designed to give property owners the benefit of knowing if their rental
units meet the minimum safety standards as set forth in the locally adopted building and
life safety codes.
Prospective and current tenants will benefit by knowing that their unit has been
voluntarily inspected for safety code compliance.
Additionally, ongoing inspections will help to preserve the quality of Bozeman's
neighborhoods and the available rental housing.
All properties that meet the minimum safety standards will receive a “certificate of
completion” and be added to the safe rental unit list on the City of Bozeman website as an
“Approved” property having completed the inspection process. This certification will last
for three years.
3.
Scope
The scope of the inspection program is limited to single family apartments and efficiency
unit rentals located within the Bozeman city limits.
The program does not include motels, hotels, dormitories, bed and breakfasts, vacation
rentals and boarding homes as they currently fall under other code sections already
inspected by the fire and building departments regularly.
Units to be approved must contain all facilities required to be included in a residential
dwelling unit, i.e. kitchen, bathroom, designated sleeping areas, hot and cold potable
water and heating equipment.
4.
Procedure
Inspections:
Inspections must be conducted every three years in order to maintain an "approved"
status on the City of Bozeman safe rental unit list. Property owners/managers and/or
tenants are responsible to call for and schedule the voluntary safety inspections with the
City of Bozeman Fire Department.
No inspections will be conducted unless the owner and/or tenant or a designated
representative (over 18 years old) is present.
Standard:
All inspections will be conducted using the current versions of the locally adopted fire
and life safety and building codes. Using these standards will help to consistently
identify health, life safety, and routine maintenance concerns in existing structures.
Violations:
If safety and health code violations are discovered, property owners will have 30 days to
make repairs.
Other than potentially dangerous health and life safety conditions, correcting the
violations may be done on a voluntary basis.
If the property owner/manager chooses not to complete the voluntary repairs within the
allotted time, the unit will not be added to the list of approved safe rental units.
Potentially dangerous Health and life safety conditions must be corrected
immediately.
Violations subject to mandatory corrections will include; unsafe electrical, unsafe gas
fueled appliances, inadequate means of egress, missing or not working smoke detectors,
inadequate protection from the weather, lack of potable water, lack of adequate heating
system, lack of an approved sewage disposal system and unsafe stairs and safety
railings. In the above cases a Notice of Violation will be issued requesting the item be
addressed immediately.
If the rental unit has not been approved and certified within 30 days from the date the
Notice of Violation was issued the file and application will be closed. In order to resume
the certification process a new application must be submitted for the rental unit.
Note: Extensions to the 30 day re-inspection period may be issued in 15 day increments
by the City of Bozeman Chief Building Official or Fire Marshal.
Certification:
Once a unit or multi-unit building passes inspection a Certificate of Completion will be
issued and the unit will be added to the list of approved safe rental units. This list will be
made available to the public and will be posted on the City of Bozeman web site.
5.
Fees
Inspection Fees
There will be no fee for the Voluntary Rental Unit Safety Inspection Initiative.
Some violations subject to mandatory corrections, that may or may not have resulted in a
Notice of Violation, may have associated building permit fees as part of the resolution
process.
6.
Inspection Checklist
7.
The building address and apartment number must be clearly posted to facilitate emergency
response from the fire and police department.
Safe fire or emergency exits leading to a street or other safe location.
Note: Stairs, hallways and exits must be kept clear at all times.
For each sleeping area, emergency exits including an emergency exit path that leads directly to
the exterior of the building, (approved egress window or exterior door) must be provided.
Smoke detectors located inside each sleeping area and areas giving access to sleeping areas.
In addition, smoke detectors shall be located at each landing or level and in the basement.
Note: Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are recommended in these locations.
Electrical system, including an electrical panel accessible to each unit, lighting, wiring and
equipment must be in good working order.
Ground Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) electrical receptacles should be provided in kitchens,
bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Gas connections to appliances in good shape with a shut off valve located at each appliance.
Heating equipment in good working order.
Operable dead bolts or locks on the main entry doors and operable locking or security devices
on windows.
Note: Deadbolts and window locks should be easy to open from inside the apartment without
needing a key or any special knowledge of the locking device.
Floors, stairways and safety railings in good repair.
Natural lighting in all habitable spaces through windows or skylights. Windows in habitable
spaces must be able to be opened at least 50% for ventilation unless there is a mechanical
system that provides fresh, outside air.
Please Contact us for More Information
Bozeman Fire Department
P.O. Box 1230 Bozeman, Montanan 59771
Phone: 406-582-2350
Email: [email protected]
www.bozemanfire.com
CITY OF BOZEMAN
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BUILDING DIVISION
VOLUNTARY RENTAL UNIT SAFETY INSPECTION
INITIATIVE
Voluntary Rental Inspection Number ________________ Date:___________________
Property Owner/Manager:________________________ Notified Date/Time:________
Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________
Email: ________________________________Phone Number: ___________________
Address of Property to be inspected: ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Number of units: _______ Type of Units:_____________________________________
Description of Property: __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Tenant Information:
Name: ____________________________ Phone Number: ______________________
Email:_____________________________
Date of Inspection: _________ Inspector: ____________________________
Inspection Passed? Yes/No
Date of Reinspection: ___________________
Reinspection Passed: Yes/No
Certificate Issued: Yes/No
Notes _________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________
Approval Date
_________________________
Inspector
CITY OF BOZEMAN
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BUILDING DIVISION
VOLUNTARY RENTAL UNIT SAFETY INSPECTION INITIATIVE
Certificate of Completion Rental Unit Health and Safety Inspection Voluntary Rental Inspection Number: Property Address: Unit Number(s): Inspection Date: Certificate Expiration Date: The City of Bozeman accepts no responsibility for the safety or any other condition of the property listed. The City of Bozeman expressly disclaims giving any guarantees, warrantees or any other representation that the property is safe or recommended. The City does not recommend to students or others any rental properties. Students and others must make their own individual and personal choices with regard to the selection of living accommodations. This Approved Safe Rental Unit Certificate only indicates that the rental property listed has met the minimum Community Safety Guidelines and has been inspected through the Voluntary Rental Unit Safety Inspection Initiative.
__________________________________________
CITY OF BOZEMAN
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BUILDING DIVISION
VOLUNTARY RENTAL UNIT SAFETY INSPECTION
INITIATIVE
List of Approved Safe Rental units The City of Bozeman accepts no responsibility for the safety or any other condition of the properties listed. The City of Bozeman expressly disclaims giving any guarantees, warrantees or any other representation that the properties are safe or recommended. The City does not recommend to students or others any rental properties. Students and others must make their own individual and personal choices with regard to the selection of living accommodations. This list of Approved Safe Rental Units only indicates that the rental properties listed below have met the minimum Community Safety Guidelines and have been inspected through the Voluntary Rental Unit Safety Inspection Initiative. 1.
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Acme Rental Units‐ Approved 10/25/12 (Commercial Apt Building) 20 E Olive St Bozeman, MT 59715 406‐582‐2375 ABC Apartments ‐ Approved 10/26/12 (1 bdrm basement apt) 121 North Rouse Bozeman, MT 59715 406‐582‐2375 XYZ Condos ‐ Approved 10/27/12 (Single family dwelling‐ duplex) 12345 Peach Street Bozeman, MT 59715 406‐582‐2375 Page 1 of 1