The Single Family Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance passed by the City Council ensures tenants and landlords of residential rental properties, are involved in maintaining single family homes in a safe and sanitary condition. The Single-Family Rental Inspection Program is an effective way of ensuring a sustainable community and safe housing is available in all of the neighborhoods in Carrollton.

On Tuesday, February 7, 2006 the Carrollton City Council passed the Single-Family Rental Registration Ordinance. This ordinance requires all property owners and companies who rent or lease single-family homes or duplexes in the Carrollton to register those rental properties with the City and to have them inspected by the City.

A review of code enforcement cases found single family rental properties are approximately 15 percent of single family homes in Carrollton but, they account for a disproportionately high percentage of neighborhood code violations. This diverts staff time from other code enforcement duties and has a negative effect on the surrounding homes.

In response to this problem a Single-Family Rental Inspection Program is underway. Its objective is to improve the overall condition of rental properties and to provide decent and affordable housing without being a blight on surrounding homes, thus helping enhance property values within the affected neighborhoods.

The first steps involved with the program involves identifying all the single family rental homes in Carrollton. Next is notifying the owners and tenants of the new program and the requirements to register the properties with the City.

Registration of all single family rental property is scheduled to be completed on an annual basis.

 The landlords, tenants and the community will benefit by: 

• Documenting and recording the conditions of the rental properties.
• Education about rights and responsibilities of owners and tenants.
• Insure that tenants are provided with safe and sanitary housing.
• Promote healthy homes that can protect children and seniors.
• Help identify dangerous structures and eliminate the hazards.
• Help with identification of illegal activity inside the units.
• Help maintain sustainability in an aging community.

For questions regarding this program contact Environmental Services by email at envservices@cityofcarrollton.com or by phone at 972-466-3060.

Annual registration for all single-family homes and duplexes are processed and sent out in June for the following year.  Property owners are required to submit the registration and registration payment no later than July 31st.      

In 2009, the City Council amended the city ordinance requiring a registration fee for single-family and duplex rentals in the City. The registration fee is $75 for each rental property. The fee is meant to cover the cost of the inspection program.

Registration requires submittal of the registration form along with payment of the registration fee at the same time. The City will not accept registration material without payment of the fee. Failure to properly register a single-family or duplex rental property with the City may result in a citation and fine of $500 per day for each day the property remains unregistered. 

If you have a new rental property or have not registered your rental property previously, please call 972-466-3060 to have a registration material mailed to you.  YOu may also register the single-family rental online at https://cityserve.cityofcarrollton.com.

Single-family rental inspection concerns may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Driveways/Walkways – All must be maintained to prevent damage to person or property.
2. Electrical – Safety receptacle covers must be provided and be secured, outlets must be properly wired, breaker boxes must be correctly wired, breaker boxes must not have gaps or missing covers and there must be proper maintenance of any air conditioning and heating units.
3. Exterior Doors – Each exterior door on the dwelling is required to have:
   • A. A doorknob lock or keyed dead bolt; and
   • A keyless bolting device and a door viewer.  This is usually a keyless deadbolt lock that is operable only by knob or lever from the door’s interior and not in any manner from the door’s exterior.  Keyless bolting devices must meet the requirements of the Texas Property Code, Title 8, Chapter 92 Subchapter D-Security Devices.  
   • Two of the following locking devices on each sliding glass door – handle latch, security bar or sliding door pin lock
4. Exterior light fixtures – Any open exterior light sockets must be properly covered or have exterior light bulbs installed in the socket.
5. Plumbing – Any damaged plumbing, leaking faucets or pipes, irrigation leaks causing standing water, faulty sewer lines, etc. must be repaired.  Water heaters must be property installed and maintained.
6. Roofs – Roof coverings must be maintained free of defects.  Any broken or missing shingles must be replaced and match the texture and color of surrounding shingles.
7. Sanitation – Eliminate any accumulation of standing water, trash and debris, and mold. Walking paths to all exits must be clear.  Provide regular pest extermination as needed.  Seal all holes and gaps in interior walls and ceilings, including under sinks where pipes enter the walls.
8. Smoke Alarms – Smoke alarms must be tested to be operational.  State law requires there to be an operable smoke alarm inside each bedroom.  There must also be an operable smoke alarm in the corridor/hallway in the vicinity to the bedrooms.  Finally, there must be an operable smoke alarm on each floor/level.
9. Stairs, sidewalks, handrails, guardrails – All must be secured, without any tripping hazards, free from debris and all spindles must be in place.
10. Structural integrity – Roofs, patios, supports, walkways, walls, soffits, eaves, stairways, and foundations must be structurally sound.
11. Weatherproofing – There should not be rust and deterioration on the exterior surfaces of the house and/or any accessory structures.  Weather sealant, stain or paint should be provided to patio covers, arbors, guardrails, handrails, doors, trim, siding, walls and any other exterior surfaces.  Holes, gaps and/or cracks at the exterior walls, windows, doors foundations, soffits, eaves and roofs should be sealed. 
12. Windows – All windows must be weather sealed.  Cracked or broken windows must be replaced.  Windows designed to be opened must be operational and have screens.  All windows must have an approved window latch/locking devices.
13. General Premises – The property must be maintained free of trash and debris.  The lawn must be maintained to a height of 10” or less in height.  Any missing, broken or rotted fence pickets must be replaced.  All vehicles in public view must be legally parked, on an improved surface  and maintained in an operable condition.

Property owners are required to maintain the interior of each rental home in compliance with codes and ordinances although an interior inspection may not be completed each year at the property.

Annual registration for multi-family complexes are processed and sent out in June.  Property owners are required to submit the registration and registration payment no later than July 31st.   

City ordinance requiring a registration fee for multi-family rentals in the City. The registration fee is $13 per unit for each rental property. The fee is meant to cover the cost of the inspection program.

Registration requires submittal of the registration form along with payment of the registration fee at the same time. The City will not accept registration material without payment of the fee. Failure to properly register a single-family or duplex rental property with the City may result in a citation and fine of $500 per day for each day the property remains unregistered. 

If you have a new rental property or have not registered your rental property previously, please call 972-466-3060 to have a registration material mailed to you.