Landlord Resources
Prevent Rental Housing Violations
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Multi-family dwellings are inspected periodically for health and safety violations by Environmental Health Services (EHS). If you own or manage a multi-family dwelling in San Mateo County, ensure your property is safe, healthy, and ready for inspection.
The EHS Housing Inspection Program offers the following resources for guidance on avoiding the most common violations:
The presentation is also accessible in pdf format here.
The County’s Five Most Common Housing Violations are below:
Inadequate Vermin/Pest Exclusion
Conditions that promote pest intrusion include holes in/damage to windows, doors, vents, screens, refuse accumulation, and tree/bush limbs hanging within 3 feet of the roof.
- Guidelines for Hiring Effective Pest Control in your building
- 3 Steps to a Pest-Free Apartment
- Pest Exclusion Guidance
- Healthy Homes: Safer Pest Control
Faulty Weather Protection
Deteriorated exterior paint, and faulty waterproofing of exterior walls, roof, foundation, windows, and doors; inadequate weather stripping; improperly sealed building piping, wiring, and vents.
Safety
Lack of properly maintained fire safety equipment (smoke detectors and fire extinguishers) and carbon monoxide monitors, and blocking unit exterior doors.
Structural Safety
Ensure your property is structurally safe! Unsecured/damaged hand and guard rails; damaged walkways, damaged supports for balconies/walkways, and damaged stairways are violations.
- Check with your local building codes for current requirements.
- ADA Standards resource
General Exterior Maintenance
Failure to maintain the surrounding property free of debris, inoperable vehicles, appliances, rodent harborages, stagnant water, and conditions that pose fire, health, or safety hazards.
Additional Resources
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Why IPM Makes Good Business Sense
- IPM Resources from CA Healthy Housing Coalition
- Stop Pests in Housing
- IPM for Housing Owners and Managers, Boston Public Health Commission
- Massachusetts IPM Toolkit
Mold
- Three Steps to a Healthy Home
- CA Department of Public Health (CDPH):
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home – US EPA
Smoke-Free Housing
We value your feedback!
We value your feedback on our informational outreach and ask you to respond through a brief survey. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your housing maintenance challenges and informational needs. Take the survey here. We want to hear from you!
For more information on the Housing Inspection Program, contact San Mateo County Environmental Health Services at ehshousing@smcgov.org or (650) 372-6200, or visit smchealth.org/housing