Rental Property

For Rent

Regulating the condition and operation of rental housing is a major challenge facing local governments across the United States. In recent years, along with widespread foreclosures and loss of property values, many municipalities have seen increasing numbers of single family homes go from owner-occupancy to absentee ownership and rental occupancy. While a stock of sound, well-managed single family rental properties can be a valuable community asset and most landlords are responsible owners, that is not always the case.

The responsibility for making sure that landlords maintain and manage their properties well falls to local governments, which has the authority to enforce codes and take a variety of other actions under the legal powers municipalities are granted to regulate property. The goal of these regulations is not to drive landlords away or to punish them, but to raise the quality bar for rental housing in the community, and ensure to the extent possible that landlords who own property in the municipality are responsible stewards of their properties, working with the municipality to ensure that neighborhoods remain safe and clean.

West Reading Borough administers a Residential Rental Unit Licensing and Inspection Program. All residential rental units are issued a license upon submitting a completed application. Periodic inspections of all rental units in the Borough are conducted by the Code Enforcement Department in coordination with the property owners and tenants. The goal of this program is aimed at promoting a greater compliance with health and safety standards to reduce substandard conditions in rental housing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a property as being a rental property? Rental property includes the following: single-family dwellings, duplexes, apartments, town homes, or condominiums, which are leased, rented or occupied by a person or persons other than the owner.

Are there any exceptions? Yes, a lineal descendant, which is a person who is in the direct line of decent from the ancestor who is the legal owner of the dwelling unit. The term includes husband and wife, parent and child, brother and sister, and grandparent and grandchild. It does not include a collateral line of descent such as cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, or nieces.

Who is responsible for registering the property? The property owner is responsible for completing the registration.

How often will a rental unit need to be inspected? If no violations are found at the time of the inspection, the next inspection will be two years from the date of issuance of compliance.

To whom will the payment be made and what are the alternatives? Payments are to the Borough of West Reading. Payment can be made by check or cash, credit card payments may only be made through the Code Department Secretary.

When will the inspections be done? Inspections will be performed Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by appointment.

Is the property owner required to be present during the inspection? The property owner or their designated representative must be present during inspections. It is the responsibility of the property owner to inform the tenants of impending inspections and to provide access.

Will tenants be allowed to attend the inspections? Both tenants and the property owners are encouraged to be present during the inspections. Informational exchanges are critical to the success of the program.

Will the property owner receive documentation of the inspection results? The property owner or agent will be furnished a copy of the inspection report, along with a correction notice, if any. Additionally, a compliance letter will be sent once all items have either been approved or corrected and approved.

How much time will be given to the property owner or agent to make corrections found to be unsatisfactory during the inspection? The property owner or agent will be given between one (1) and forty-five (45) days to make corrections, depending on the nature and severity of the correction and/or violation.

Who will be performing the inspections? The Borough of West Reading Code Enforcement Staff will perform all scheduled inspections.

How long will the inspection take? Each inspection will vary according to the individual property. However, one should set aside a minimum of one hour for a single-family residence and an additional 1/2-hour for each additional unit. 

What preparations should be made involving animals prior to inspections? All pets will be confined or restrained in such a way as to eliminate any possibility of attack or escape during the inspection process.

When a property passes an inspection and a complaint is made after the fact, will I have to go through the Residential Rental Inspection Program again? Complaints received after completion of a successful inspection are referred to the Code Enforcement Officer. If a valid internal or external violation surfaces after a compliance letter has been issued, the owner will be required to abate the specific violation in order to remain in compliance.

Does the inspection take place both inside and outside of the residence? There are numerous items that focus both on the interior and exterior of the rental property.

Will my older building be forced to comply with today's more stringent construction codes? No, your building is required to be maintained a level consistent with the codes of the period in which it was constructed. However, construction improvements must coincide with current codes as adopted by the Borough of West Reading.

Do all units require smoke detectors? Installed battery-operated smoke detectors will be required in each sleeping room, each hallway adjacent to the sleeping rooms, and at each floor level.

Is the property owner required to obtain permits for minor repair work? Repair work normally requiring permits will still require permits. However, may items usually noted for repairs are exempt from permits.

What if the property owner ignores their required participation in the program? Pursuant to the Borough of West Reading Code, any person who violates any provision of this Ordinance, or who fails to comply with any obligation or requirement of this Ordinance, shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 and, in default of payment, shall undergo imprisonment in the Berks County Prison for a period not exceeding 30 days.

Listed below are links for information regarding rental properties and forms. Please do not hesitate to contact the Code Enforcement Department regarding any of this information at (610) 374-8273 ext 238.