Rental Property Registration & Inspection Program

Rental Property Registration Application - Online Submission

Instructions for submitting your application online

Rental Property Applications

• Rental Property Registration Application
• Rental Property Inspection Exemption Application
• *Affidavit of Non-Rental Application
• Rental Property Transfer of Ownership Application
• Rental Property Renewal Application

*The Affidavit of Non-Rental Application may be emailed to dl-permitcenter@cityofelkhartin.gov OR mailed to the Permit Center at 229 S. 2nd Street, Elkhart, IN 46516.

Rental Property Applications in Spanish

Por favor, no envíe las solicitudes de abajo. Las solicitudes en Español son solo de referencia.

• Registracion propiedad de alquiler Solicitud
• Inspección Propiedad de alquiler Solicitud de Exención
• Declaración jurada de no-alquiler

• Rental Inspection Program - Detailed Checklist*
• Programa de Inspección de Alquileres - Lista de verificación detallada
• Rental Inspection Program - Brief Checklist
• Programa de Inspección de Alquileres - Lista de verificación breve

*Please note that many items on the detailed checklist may not apply to your rental property.

Rental Registration & Inspection Program Fees

$5.00 ....... Annual Registration Fee (per parcel or Rental Unit Community)

$60.00 ..... Initial Inspection Fee (per unit)

$60.00 ..... First Reinspection Fee (per unit)

$100.00 ... Second or Subsequent Reinspection Fee (per unit)

$75.00 ..... Irregular Inspection Fee (per unit)

$100.00 ... Inspection Cancellation\Rescheduling Fee (less than 48-hour notice) (per unit)

What is the Elkhart Rental Inspection Program?

The Elkhart Rental Inspection Program is an ordinance that was approved by the Elkhart City Council. The program promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the rental community by ensuring that units meet minimum health and safety standards.

How often do I have to register my property?

All rental properties are required to annually register their properties with the City of Elkhart.

How often does my property have to be inspected?

Rental properties are required to be inspected every three years.

What are the fees associated with this program?

The registration fee is $5 (per rental property or per rental unit community) and the initial inspection fee is $60 (per rental unit that will be inspected). Please refer to the Fee Schedule tab to see additional fees.

What will be inspected?

Rental Units are inspected to determine that the property is safe and habitable with respect to electrical, plumbing, water supply, HVAC, bathroom facilities, doors and windows, smoke detectors, and the structure itself. A more comprehensive list is available under the Rental Inspection Checklists tab.

What are the most common rental violations found?

• Inoperable or missing smoke alarms.
• Inoperable or missing GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Missing handrails on stairs.
• Water heater issues, including improperly installed or missing relief valve discharge pipe on the water heater; and blocked, misaligned, or missing chimney or flue piping.
• Improperly wired or grounded three-pronged outlet.
• Damaged outlets or switches.
• Plumbing leaks.
• Cooking range, cooktop, or oven does not ignite or produce heat.

What happens if violations are identified during the inspection?

The inspector will identify the violation(s) and provide the property owner and/or property manager with the checklist of failed items.

How long do I have to correct the violations that are identified during the inspection?

Life-Threatening items have a 24-hour repair time. All other violations have a 60-day repair time. Failure to comply will be punishable by fines.

Are large rental complexes exempt?

No, ALL rental properties would have to pass an inspection once every 3 years. In lieu of a city inspection, any rental unit or rental unit community may satisfy the requirement at no fee if they utilize a qualified, independent inspector as defined in the ordinance.

Why are mobile homes excluded?

State law does not allow cities to inspect mobile home communities under this program. They are inspected by the Indiana Department of Public Health.

Do other Indiana cities have rental inspection programs?

Yes, several Indiana localities have rental inspection programs including Goshen, South Bend, Bloomington, Fishers, Gary, West Lafayette, Munster, Vincennes, and Whitestown.

Does this violate my rights to privacy?

No. The program balances the rights of tenants and landlords. Owners must give Tenants a minimum notice of 72-hours before the scheduled inspection. The professional city rental inspector will only be reviewing for health and safety. The inspector will not go through personal items, inspect furniture, or ask about immigration status.

What are the responsibilities of the tenant?

Tenants cannot prevent the inspection from taking place. In addition, pets are to be always controlled or restrained by the Tenant during the inspection.

For Fair Housing information or to report discrimination, please reach out to the Elkhart Human Relations Commission at (574) 294-5471 Ext. 3133.

Will this cause rents to increase?

Other cities with similar programs did not see a material increase in rents as a result of inspections.

In some cases, there could be significant repair costs. Keep in mind that these are minimum health and safety standards that all renters under contract with a landlord should be able to expect.

If you have concerns about paying rent, call 2-1-1 to connect to resources in the community.

Will this cause displacement or homelessness?

The goal is to avoid displacement by working with Landlords to come into compliance. However, displacement may happen in the worst-case housing scenarios. The City of Elkhart will work with nonprofit service organizations to connect tenants with resources when these situations arise.

Aren’t there already laws about this?

No, not specifically. Existing city code doesn’t allow for proactive inspections of the interior of a rental property unless there is a complaint and the tenant invites the inspector into the property.

Why not operate on a complaint-based system?

A proactive approach removes the burden on Tenants. Tenants may not be aware that they have a right to safe and habitable housing. Or they may have language barriers or disabilities that make it difficult to navigate the code enforcement system. Many Tenants might be afraid to complain for fear of increased rent or retaliation.

Please note: The City of Elkhart cannot offer legal advice. If you need legal help because you are facing eviction, or have another dispute with your landlord, you should seek advice from an attorney.