ALLENDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Rental Housing Inspections

Requirements for Residential Rental Property

                                         On March 13, 2017, the Allendale Township Board passed Ordinance 2017-4, which requires all residential rental properties within the Township to be registered with this Department, and allow for inspections of said rental structures. 

• Rental Registration

All properties must be registered with the Rental Housing Department by March 31st each year by submitting a Certificate of Compliance Application. A reminder will be mailed out to all rental property                   owners/agents prior to the due date. Late registrations will result in your certificate of compliance being revoked. An inspection will be set up immediately for all units not registered that will include all necessary re-inspection(s) and applicable fees.

Certificate of Compliance Applications must be updated for any new rental properties, changes in ownership of existing rental properties, owner or agent address changes, or adding or removing an agent.  Return completed and signed Certificate of Compliance application form with applicable fee(s) to the rental department.

• Certificate of Compliance

The township requires Certificates of Compliance for all rental properties. This required rental certification is issued only after the township has completed a comprehensive interior and exterior inspection of the property and has found it to be in compliance with the 2018 Property Maintenance Code.  Fees associated with obtaining a Certificate of Compliance can be found in our Rental Housing Reference Guide.  A notice of inspection will be mailed to the property owner or agent at least 30 days prior to the Certificate of Compliance due date.  Failure to obtain certification through an inspection will result in significant enforcement fees. (See the Rental Housing Reference Guide for these fees).  An inspection checklist is available to assist owners/agents in inspection preparation. This is not an all-inclusive list. For a complete list, refer to the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code.

• Filing a Complaint

Call the Township office at (616)895-6295 ext. 1106 to notify the Administrative Assistant that you want to file a complaint.

You must fill out and sign a complaint form and return or email to:

Allendale Township

Attn: Rental Department

PO Box 539 6676 Lake Michigan Dr

Allendale, MI 49401

Email: shellykowalczyk@allendale-twp.org

• Upon receiving the copy of the complaint, a determination will be made if there is reasonable ground to inspect the unit. Notification will be sent to you with what was determined.  If an inspection date is set, you are not required to be there but is strongly encouraged. If requested, we will notify you of the results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

• When I sell my rental property, do I have to notify the township?     
  • YES. Please contact Shelly Kowalczyk at (616) 895-6295  Ext. 1106 or shellykowalczyk@allendale-twp.org so she can update her records.
• Do smoke alarms have an expiration date?   
  • YES, smoke alarms must be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture marked on the unit. If no date of manufacture can be determined, the alarm needs to be replaced. 
• Do I need to register my rental property?   
  • YES, all rental properties within Allendale Township are required to register for a Certificate of Compliance.  Registration is due every year no later than September 15th. There is a registration fee of $10 per unit being registered.
• If I am buying a property to turn into a rental property, does it require an inspection?   
  • YES, all rental properties are required to undergo an inspection that follows the International Property Maintenance Code. Once you have decided to make a property a rental you must contact the township offices to set up your inspection.