Knowledge Base

• According to Chapter 7-5-1 of the Rochester Code of Ordinances, it is mandatory for anyone who rents out a dwelling to obtain a Rental Property Certificate or Rental Housing Certificate. A dwelling is considered rental when someone other than the owner, or their relatives, occupies the dwelling whether money is exchanged or not. This includes single family homes when the owner does not occupy the home, but does not include hotels, motels, rooming houses, nursing homes, and hospitals which are licensed by other agencies. Renting without a certificate is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1000 fine, 90 days in jail, or both.
  

  To ensure compliance with the Housing Code, the rental property requires routine inspections. The frequency of the routine inspections is determined according to a property incentive system.  The system scores properties based on the number of violations found during inspection, and results in an inspection cycle of either every three years, every two years, or every year.  Note: Rental certificates must be transferred within 30 days of a property being sold.

For more information on registering a rental property, visit our Rental Property Certificate Application Webpage.