In 2019, The City of Modesto implemented the Rental Housing Safety Program (RHSP) as a part of City Ordinance 3703, in part with Measure H funding, in response to the condemnation and demolishing of a severely deteriorated housing project on Ninth Street. This incident highlighted the City’s need for a proactive initiative to provide safe and habitable rental homes for Modesto residents.
The City partnered with several nonprofit organizations in order to make this program possible. Each collaborator reflects community needs and industry best practices. Designed to be effective for both tenants and landlords, the RHSP’s main goal is to have safe rental homes. The RHSP also maintains that landlords who rent out to tenants are responsible for ensuring their housing units meet proper safety standards.
The RHSP requires all rental property owners to register through the City’s website. The program works by having landlords fill out two online forms for free registration and self-certify their properties. Once both forms are properly completed, the city will randomly select properties registered with the program and mail a notice to each selected unit.
Rules and regulations for this program require that all residential rental properties in Modesto that are older than 10 years and registered with the program, shall be subject to random inspections. Each registered unit that is selected will be invoiced $100 for inspection at the expense of the property owner. Every year, around 10% of all RHSP registered units in Modesto are selected for a safety audit conducted by City of Modesto Enforcement officers.
“The Rental Housing Safety Program has allowed the City to move from a reactive approach to a proactive one,” said Oscar Diaz, Chief Building Official. “By partnering with property owners and tenants, we are identifying safety issues early, correcting them efficiently, and ensuring that thousands of Modesto residents are living in safer, healthier homes.”
Both tenants and property owners will benefit from this program by making sure that their home meets proper safety standards. Tenants may be protected from inadequate living conditions, reducing stress and increasing trust in their local government. Likewise, property owners can avoid fines and contribute to a thriving and safe rental housing market by implementing a thorough search of all properties.
Since the program’s inception, 19,246 units have registered with the Rental Housing Safety Program and over 2,000 safety audits have been completed. The City estimates that approximately 40,000 units still need to be registered. Rental property owners can sign up for the Rental Housing Safety Program to protect their property and ensure healthy housing for their tenants. Sign up today to stay compliant and support safer housing in our community.
For more information, contact:
Sonya Severo
Public Relations and Legislative Affairs Manager
209-497-0075
Email Sonya Severo