West St. Paul Rental Inspections -- Call Apple
The Rental Licensing Program consists of several parts as follows:
The Rental Licensing Program consists of several parts as follows:
- Rental license application and initial background check of property owner, partner, or
corporate officer
- Inspection by a Housing Evaluator licensed with West St. Paul, or through an alternative
inspection report - see below
- City Council approval of the rental license
- STAR Program
City of West St. Paul
Rental Licensing Program
1616 Humboldt Avenue
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-552-4100
TDD/Non-Emergency 651-322-2323
1. What is the Rental Licensing Program?
The Rental Licensing Program consists of several parts as follows:
• Rental License Application (per building) & Initial Background Check of property owner, partner or Corporate Officer
• Inspections by a Housing Evaluator licensed with the City of West St. Paul or through an Alternative Inspection Report
• City Council Approval of the Rental License
• STAR Program
2. What is rental property?
Single-family, duplex, triplex, four-plex, apartments, condominiums, townhomes or another residential rental dwelling that is used for
residential rental occupancy by one or more persons who are not the owner or a member of the owner’s family.
3. Why license rental units?
To “protect the public health, safety and welfare of citizens of the City… and to correct substandard conditions and maintain a standard for
existing and newly constructed Rental Dwellings in the City.”
4. How do I obtain a rental license to rent property in West St. Paul?
Rental owners must complete the following to rent single & multi-family property in West St. Paul:
• Fill out a Rental License Application (per building) and STAR Program Application,
• Have an Inspection of the building completed by a Housing Evaluator licensed with the City or submit an Alternative Inspection Report, and
• Pay the appropriate fees.
5. What are the application requirements?
The application (per building) must include the following:
• STAR Program application
• Completed Inspection Report (or Alternative Inspection Report)
• Application and Background Check fees
6. What are the fees for a rental license?
• $25 FEE PER BUILDING (NOT UNITS)
• $75 INITIAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION FEE
PLEASE SUBMIT A COMPLETED APPLICATION BY DEC 15 OR A PENALTY FEE WILL BE IMPOSED.
8. What are the late fees?
• $12.50 for Completed Applications or Incomplete Inspection Reports submitted DECEMBER 15 – 31 OF EACH YEAR.
• $50.00 for Completed Applications or Incomplete Inspection Reports submitted AFTER JANUARY 1 OF EACH YEAR.
9. How do I have my rental building inspected?
Rental property owners are required to submit a COMPLETED INSPECTION REPORT and have two options to have their building inspected:
1. Contract with a Housing Evaluator licensed by the City of West St. Paul. Evaluators are private, City licensed inspectors. They set their own
fees and payment requirements.
2. Or, submit an approved Alternative Inspection Report in place of, or in addition to, contracting with a Housing Evaluator for an inspection
(SEE Instructions – Inspections).
10. What is a completed Housing Evaluator Inspection Report?
• The Completion Report is a final inspection report submitted by the Housing Evaluator stating all items marked “Hazardous” or “H” in the
original report have been corrected and re-inspected.
11. How often do I need my rental building inspected?
• SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL WITH 1-3 UNITS: Inspect the entire building EVERY THREE YEARS, starting from the first year the applicant applies
for a license.
• MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL WITH MORE THAN 3 UNITS: Inspect 25 percent of the units EVERY YEAR, PER BUILDING (100 percent of the units
over 4 years).
12. How can I Find a Housing Evaluator Licensed by the City of West St. Paul?
A list of Housing Evaluators is available on the City website at www.ci.west-saint-paul.mn.us on the Rental Licensing page, or by calling 651-
552-4144.
13. What is an Approved Alternative Inspection Report?
Acceptable ALTERNATIVE INSPECTION REPORTS INCLUDE:
1. ANY HUD INSPECTION REPORT
2. HUD - HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (Section 8) Inspection Form
3. ANY INSURANCE OR INSURANCE - RELATED INSPECTION REPORTS
4. FREDDIE MAC – MULTIFAMILY ASSESSMENT REPORT
5. FANNIE MAE – PROPERTY INSPECTION & EVALUATION REPORT, FORM 4257
6. OTHER REPORT - AS APPROVED BY THE CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL
14. Who receives a Background Investigation (Check)?
The property owner, partner or corporate officer receives an initial background investigation when the owner first applies for a rental license.
15. What are the criteria for the background checks?
Criminal convictions that occurred in Minnesota as follows: Crimes Concerning Dishonesty, Crimes Concerning Public Safety, Crimes
Concerning Privacy, Building Code (City Code §400), Housing Code (§425), Parked or Stored Motor Vehicles (§2005.21), Inoperative or
Abandoned Vehicles (§2007.11), and Unsheltered Storage (§2007.03).
16. How can I join the STAR Program?
For more information on the STAR Program, please call City Hall at 651-552-4235 or view the City website at
www.ci.west-saint-paul.mn.us on the Rental Licensing page - STAR Program.
17. Who approves the Rental License Applications?
The City Council approves the Rental License applications on the Consent Agenda at City Council Meetings. A Hearing will be held to review
applications recommended for denial, revocation or suspension.
18. What happens if the City Council denies, revokes or suspends my rental license?
The City Council may deny, revoke or suspend a rental license for any of the reasons enumerated in City Code Section 1005.25 subd. 1. A
hearing will be conducted pursuant to City Code Section 1005.25 subd. 4. Following the hearing, the Council may deny, revoke, suspend, not
renew the license for all or any part of the licensed premises or may grant or continue the license upon such terms and conditions as it deems
reasonable and necessary.
The decision by the City Council following a hearing is final. Upon a decision to revoke, suspend or not renew a license, no new application
from the current Owner for the same facility will be accepted for a period of time specified in the Council’s decision, not exceeding one (1) year.
Upon suspension or revocation of a license, the owner must reapply for a new license and comply with all the provisions of Section 435.05.
19. Where do I display my License Certificate?
Pursuant to Section 1005.15, the License Certificate must be displayed in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance of the Rental Dwelling.
One license certificate must be displayed for each building.
• For buildings with 1-3 units, the certificate must be visible from the street.
• For buildings with more than 3 units, the certificate must be displayed in the rental office or other common area accessible to all tenants.
20. What property owners are exempt from obtaining a Rental License?
The Rental License does not apply to hotels, motels, hospitals, State-licensed residential care facilities, assisted living facilities or nursing
homes.
21. What if a relative is paying to live in my home?
Property owners who allow family members to live in their home are not required to obtain a license.
22. Do new owners have to apply for a new license?
The Rental license is non-transferable. New owners must apply for a new license. License fees apply to new owners. The application fee is
nonrefundable. Inspection Reports can be submitted from the last 12 months from multi-family rental property with more than 3 units and from
the last 24 months from single family rental property with 1-3 units.
23. When can I turn in my application?
APPLICANTS MUST APPLY BY DEC. 15 or a penalty fee will be imposed. Starting January 2009, licenses are valid for one year:
January 1 – December 31.
For an APPLICATION or more information about RENTAL LICENSING, please contact 651-552-4144.
OR, visit www.ci.west-saint-paul.mn.us and the Rental Licensing page.
Revised 10-6-08 3
Rental Licensing Program
1616 Humboldt Avenue
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-552-4100
TDD/Non-Emergency 651-322-2323
1. What is the Rental Licensing Program?
The Rental Licensing Program consists of several parts as follows:
• Rental License Application (per building) & Initial Background Check of property owner, partner or Corporate Officer
• Inspections by a Housing Evaluator licensed with the City of West St. Paul or through an Alternative Inspection Report
• City Council Approval of the Rental License
• STAR Program
2. What is rental property?
Single-family, duplex, triplex, four-plex, apartments, condominiums, townhomes or another residential rental dwelling that is used for
residential rental occupancy by one or more persons who are not the owner or a member of the owner’s family.
3. Why license rental units?
To “protect the public health, safety and welfare of citizens of the City… and to correct substandard conditions and maintain a standard for
existing and newly constructed Rental Dwellings in the City.”
4. How do I obtain a rental license to rent property in West St. Paul?
Rental owners must complete the following to rent single & multi-family property in West St. Paul:
• Fill out a Rental License Application (per building) and STAR Program Application,
• Have an Inspection of the building completed by a Housing Evaluator licensed with the City or submit an Alternative Inspection Report, and
• Pay the appropriate fees.
5. What are the application requirements?
The application (per building) must include the following:
• STAR Program application
• Completed Inspection Report (or Alternative Inspection Report)
• Application and Background Check fees
6. What are the fees for a rental license?
• $25 FEE PER BUILDING (NOT UNITS)
• $75 INITIAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION FEE
PLEASE SUBMIT A COMPLETED APPLICATION BY DEC 15 OR A PENALTY FEE WILL BE IMPOSED.
8. What are the late fees?
• $12.50 for Completed Applications or Incomplete Inspection Reports submitted DECEMBER 15 – 31 OF EACH YEAR.
• $50.00 for Completed Applications or Incomplete Inspection Reports submitted AFTER JANUARY 1 OF EACH YEAR.
9. How do I have my rental building inspected?
Rental property owners are required to submit a COMPLETED INSPECTION REPORT and have two options to have their building inspected:
1. Contract with a Housing Evaluator licensed by the City of West St. Paul. Evaluators are private, City licensed inspectors. They set their own
fees and payment requirements.
2. Or, submit an approved Alternative Inspection Report in place of, or in addition to, contracting with a Housing Evaluator for an inspection
(SEE Instructions – Inspections).
10. What is a completed Housing Evaluator Inspection Report?
• The Completion Report is a final inspection report submitted by the Housing Evaluator stating all items marked “Hazardous” or “H” in the
original report have been corrected and re-inspected.
11. How often do I need my rental building inspected?
• SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL WITH 1-3 UNITS: Inspect the entire building EVERY THREE YEARS, starting from the first year the applicant applies
for a license.
• MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL WITH MORE THAN 3 UNITS: Inspect 25 percent of the units EVERY YEAR, PER BUILDING (100 percent of the units
over 4 years).
12. How can I Find a Housing Evaluator Licensed by the City of West St. Paul?
A list of Housing Evaluators is available on the City website at www.ci.west-saint-paul.mn.us on the Rental Licensing page, or by calling 651-
552-4144.
13. What is an Approved Alternative Inspection Report?
Acceptable ALTERNATIVE INSPECTION REPORTS INCLUDE:
1. ANY HUD INSPECTION REPORT
2. HUD - HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (Section 8) Inspection Form
3. ANY INSURANCE OR INSURANCE - RELATED INSPECTION REPORTS
4. FREDDIE MAC – MULTIFAMILY ASSESSMENT REPORT
5. FANNIE MAE – PROPERTY INSPECTION & EVALUATION REPORT, FORM 4257
6. OTHER REPORT - AS APPROVED BY THE CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL
14. Who receives a Background Investigation (Check)?
The property owner, partner or corporate officer receives an initial background investigation when the owner first applies for a rental license.
15. What are the criteria for the background checks?
Criminal convictions that occurred in Minnesota as follows: Crimes Concerning Dishonesty, Crimes Concerning Public Safety, Crimes
Concerning Privacy, Building Code (City Code §400), Housing Code (§425), Parked or Stored Motor Vehicles (§2005.21), Inoperative or
Abandoned Vehicles (§2007.11), and Unsheltered Storage (§2007.03).
16. How can I join the STAR Program?
For more information on the STAR Program, please call City Hall at 651-552-4235 or view the City website at
www.ci.west-saint-paul.mn.us on the Rental Licensing page - STAR Program.
17. Who approves the Rental License Applications?
The City Council approves the Rental License applications on the Consent Agenda at City Council Meetings. A Hearing will be held to review
applications recommended for denial, revocation or suspension.
18. What happens if the City Council denies, revokes or suspends my rental license?
The City Council may deny, revoke or suspend a rental license for any of the reasons enumerated in City Code Section 1005.25 subd. 1. A
hearing will be conducted pursuant to City Code Section 1005.25 subd. 4. Following the hearing, the Council may deny, revoke, suspend, not
renew the license for all or any part of the licensed premises or may grant or continue the license upon such terms and conditions as it deems
reasonable and necessary.
The decision by the City Council following a hearing is final. Upon a decision to revoke, suspend or not renew a license, no new application
from the current Owner for the same facility will be accepted for a period of time specified in the Council’s decision, not exceeding one (1) year.
Upon suspension or revocation of a license, the owner must reapply for a new license and comply with all the provisions of Section 435.05.
19. Where do I display my License Certificate?
Pursuant to Section 1005.15, the License Certificate must be displayed in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance of the Rental Dwelling.
One license certificate must be displayed for each building.
• For buildings with 1-3 units, the certificate must be visible from the street.
• For buildings with more than 3 units, the certificate must be displayed in the rental office or other common area accessible to all tenants.
20. What property owners are exempt from obtaining a Rental License?
The Rental License does not apply to hotels, motels, hospitals, State-licensed residential care facilities, assisted living facilities or nursing
homes.
21. What if a relative is paying to live in my home?
Property owners who allow family members to live in their home are not required to obtain a license.
22. Do new owners have to apply for a new license?
The Rental license is non-transferable. New owners must apply for a new license. License fees apply to new owners. The application fee is
nonrefundable. Inspection Reports can be submitted from the last 12 months from multi-family rental property with more than 3 units and from
the last 24 months from single family rental property with 1-3 units.
23. When can I turn in my application?
APPLICANTS MUST APPLY BY DEC. 15 or a penalty fee will be imposed. Starting January 2009, licenses are valid for one year:
January 1 – December 31.
For an APPLICATION or more information about RENTAL LICENSING, please contact 651-552-4144.
OR, visit www.ci.west-saint-paul.mn.us and the Rental Licensing page.
Revised 10-6-08 3
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