The city of Aurora is committed to providing a higher quality of life and ensuring the health and safety of its residents. To accomplish this objective, the city established the Multi-Family Systematic Housing Inspection Program.

Multi-Family Systematic Housing Inspection Program

The citywide Multi-Family Systematic Housing Inspection Program was developed to emphasize housing maintenance as a preventive measure to protect and enhance the value of private property in Aurora, as well as to safeguard the life, limb, health and safety for all tenants. This particular program assists with the primary function and purpose of the city’s Housing Code, which establishes and defines the responsibilities of Managers/Owners/Occupants to maintain the minimum housing standards.

In 1987, the city formed the Neighborhood Services Department with the responsibility of expanding and implementing the program citywide. The Neighborhood Support Division was designated to ensure safe and adequately maintained rental housing.

The housing codes that are used to enforce these minimum standards are for the basic life, health, and safety requirements for all tenants in Aurora. Each multi-family property in Aurora is thoroughly inspected on a systematic basis beginning at its front entryway and preceding through the entire unit in the most appropriate and efficient manner. Upon completion of the unit's inspection, the next unit is inspected until all units on the floor have been completed as well as common areas and halls. This process is continued for every floor from top to bottom until the entire interior of the structure is inspected. The exterior of the building is also inspected. Applicable site plan, parking lot, trash and debris and zoning issues will also be addressed during the inspection.

An inspection report will be sent to the owner and/or manager and will specify a date and time for reinspection of at least 30 days to resolve all deficiencies. Reinspections will be conducted until all deficiencies have been corrected and administrative fees will apply. For further information regarding the city's Multi-Family Systematic Housing Inspection Program, please call Neighborhood Support at 303.739.7280.

Complaint-Based Inspections

Complaint-based inspections are initiated at the request of a resident, owner or manager, and usually address a specific issue. If you would like to request a code enforcement officer to visit your rental unit for any reason, contact Access Aurora at 303.739.7000.

What Code Enforcement Officers Look For:

Appliances

• Missing appliances (only if supplied with unit)

• Inoperable appliance (only if supplied with unit or condition creates hazard to occupants)

• Improperly installed appliances (only if supplied with unit or condition creates hazard to occupants)

• Improperly operating appliances (only if supplied with unit or condition creates hazard to occupants), i.e., hot water delivered at tap in excess of 140 degrees F

Doors

• Improperly installed or operating security devices (locks, deadbolts, window locks, exterior doors)

• Any holes in fire rated doors, walls or ceilings, including corridors, laundry rooms and boiler rooms, etc.

• Inoperable or missing door hardware, including but not limited to doorknobs, strikers, etc.

• Seal on entry doors with exterior entrance (weatherstrip)

Egress

• Lack of second means of egress

• Common hallways, stairs, etc. must be lighted at all times

Electrical

• Loose, frayed, bare or broken electrical wires or connections - repair within 24 hours

• Broken or improperly installed electrical outlets or switches

• Missing electrical cover plates (excluding cable TV and telephone access boxes)

• Gaps or spaces in breaker boxes – 24 hours to correct

• Missing or damaged light covers – 24 hours to correct

• Temporary lighting – 24 hours to correct

Fire

Fire hazards, such as:

• Blocked exits (including common areas) - 24 hours to correct

• Improperly stored flammable materials - 24 hours to correct

• Excessive accumulation of flammable debris - 24 hours to correct

• Fire rated utility closet doors missing, inoperable

• Missing, inoperable, improperly installed or improperly located smoke detectors **It is strongly recommended that you carry extra batteries with you on the date of your inspection**

• Missing, inoperable, improperly sized fire exit signs

• Any holes in fire rated doors, walls or ceilings

• Deadbolt locks that exceed 48” in height are referred to Fire

• Safety inspections

• Double deadbolt locks are referred to Fire Safety Inspections

• Storage in furnace/water heater closets, laundry rooms, boiler rooms, etc.

Floor Coverings

• Tripping hazards, in general (including carpeting, transition plates, sidewalks, etc.)

• Rotted, weak (exhibiting movement under load, unsecured or incomplete sub-floor)

• Excessive wear or numerous tears in floor cover

• Floor covering contaminated by gray or black water (Discharge from appliances, toilets, sump pumps or other natural water source)

Furnace/Water Heater

• Lack of heat (inability to maintain 70 degree temperature 3 feet above floor throughout unit)

• Lack of any utility service

• Improperly connected gas appliances (kinked flex tubing, non-rated tubing or connectors, or inoperable missing gas cocks)

• Temperature & Pressure Relief valve (TPR) improperly installed

• Gas leaks as determined by Fire Rescue, or utility company

Plumbing

• Leaky pipes (other than condensation)

• Improperly installed plumbing and repaired plumbing

• Flex pipe, not approved through the Uniform Plumbing Code

• Any plumbing repaired with other than approved materials

• Cross connections - boiler, pool, irrigation, etc

• Disposal splash guards that are damaged/missing

• Water not measurable to minimum temperature of 120 degrees

• Open plumbing - 24 hours to correct

Screens

• Holes/rips

• Missing and/or improper fit

Walls/Ceilings

• Any holes in walls, ceilings or floors

• Roof leaks into occupied units, corridors or stairwells

• Peeling paint

• Excessive mold on walls/ceilings

Windows

• Stationary bars on windows in rooms used for sleeping purposes - 24 hours to correct

• Inoperable window locks

• Broken glass (presenting a cutting edge)

• Inoperable windows (including missing or malfunctioning hardware)

• Basement windows; egress - rooms used for sleeping must have a second means of egress

• Glass separating from window frame

• Any closed window not sealed properly

• Any lock that is not stationary or attached is not an approved - stationary window lock as required

• Plexi-glass material; allowed with permit approval through the Building Division only

Other

• Loose or missing handrails

• Infestation (actively observed)

• Sharp or jagged, rusty surfaces and/or edges capable of laceration and/or abrasion

• Structural damage resulting in instability

• Poor housekeeping; odor, garbage, sanitation, etc.

Imminent Hazards (24 hour response required) 

• Blocked exits including bars on windows

• Exposed wiring

• Inoperable smoke detectors

• Missing breaker blanks in breaker panel

• Broken windows

• Jagged/sharp edges that pose a danger

• No heat

• Open plumbing

• Gas leaks

• Scalding Water

• Toilet missing, uncapped plumbing (methane gas)