HB 5037 Summary

• Establishes that dwellings must be kept in clean, sanitary, and safe condition and free from vermin, dirt, filth, rubbish, and garbage.

• Makes owners responsible for compliance with housing standards, except occupants are responsible for cleanliness in areas they occupy and control unless otherwise agreed to by all parties in the lease.

• Requires inspectors to issue written violation notices to owners stating inspection date, inspector name, nature of violation, and time for correction.

• For violations of occupant-controlled areas, inspectors issue notices to occupants with copies to owners, and municipalities may adopt ordinances making non-compliance a misdemeanor or civil infraction, but cannot suspend certificates of compliance or impose liens on owners for occupant violations.

• Specifies that health or safety hazards must be corrected within the shortest reasonable time with owner or occupant notifying the enforcing agency within 3 days, and requires reinspection after reasonable time to verify correction.