LANCASTER, Penna. (December 8th, 2021) – In November 2021, the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to update the Property Maintenance Code, which includes a new Rental Housing Licensing and Inspection Program. Beginning in January 2022, the Manheim Township Department of Code Compliance will start accepting Rental Housing License applications.
The program establishes minimum requirements and standards for interior and exterior conditions of structures and premises including fire and life-safety systems are operational, heating, plumbing and electrical systems are safe, and that the dwellings are clean, safe and sanitary.
On January 1st, property owners or responsible local agents of Manheim Township residential rental units, including single family homes, duplexes, townhouses and apartments are required to submit the Rental Housing License application to the Code Compliance Department at the Manheim Township Municipal Office at 1840 Municipal Drive, Lancaster, 17601.
“The Rental Licensing and Inspection Program is designed to ensure a minimum level of life, health, safety and welfare for all rental properties within Manheim Township,” said Andy Bowman, Director of Code Compliance.
Manheim Township is implementing this program to proactively monitor housing conditions in rental units, and help prevent any indoor/outdoor conditions that could create unsafe living situations for township residents.
Andy Bowman continues, “Property maintenance issues have historically been addressed reactively based on complaints. This program is designed to proactively find life-safety violations before they endanger Manheim Township residents.”
Rental housing license fees are $40 per building/structure for an annual rental license. Inspection fees are based on the total number of rental units on a property and are charged only on years of building inspection. Rental units are subject to inspections on a 5-year cycle with a standard inspection checklist utilized to address code violations and compliance with Township and IPMC (International Property Maintenance Code) habitability standards.
Miscellaneous electrical issues, maintenance of fire extinguishers, and missing or inoperable smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are just a few of the common property maintenance code violations the Code Compliance Department will be looking to correct with this new Rental Housing Inspection Program.
“We have moved forward with an upgraded inspection program for rental units that will ensure the safety of our citizens, and which is not unnecessarily burdensome to landlords, said Manheim Township Commissioner, Barry Kauffman. “Our recently updated township codes will promote safe living environments our people deserve”
To learn more about the Rental Housing Inspection Program, please visit http://www.manheimtownship.org/1549/Rental-Housing-Program.
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MEDIA POST CONTACT:
Declan Murphy, Manheim Township Communications Specialist
W: 717-569-6406 Ext: 1140
dmurphy@manheimtownship.org
