Rental housing licensing and inspection program
Licensing and inspection of rental properties
Bloomington requires that every dwelling unit being rented must have a rental license prior to renting.
- Rental Housing (City Code Chapter 14.566)
- List of exemptions to rental licenses (BCC Sect. 14.570).
The focus of the Rental Licensing and Inspection Program is to maintain the quality and stability of rental dwelling units which will preserve the value of land and buildings throughout Bloomington. Rental housing conditions that adversely affect or are likely to adversely affect the life, safety, general welfare and health of renters can be corrected and prevented by enforcing minimum standards within the city.
The Rental Housing program licenses many types of rental dwelling units including:
- Single-family homes
- Townhouses
- Condominiums
- Duplexes
- Multi-family buildings
- Housing with services dwellings
- Accessory dwelling units
Environmental Health Inspectors annually inspect both the interior and exterior of all rental dwelling units within Bloomington. They also respond to complaints concerning rental properties and systematically inspect the exterior of rental units throughout the year.
Applying for a Rental License
Step 1. Apply for a rental license with the Business Licensing Division
Rental housing application
including inspection checklist
Step 2. Schedule a rental dwelling unit inspection with the Environmental Health Division
After your application is processed and reviewed you will be contacted by Environmental Health notifying you to schedule an inspection. To schedule, please call 952-563-8934.
Note: Non-functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors will result in a failed inspection. Here are some information sheets to reference before your inspection.
Additional resources
Landlord
- Example lease addendum language for crime-free/nuisance-free housing
- Minnesota Attorney General's Office (landlord resources) , PH: 651-296-3353.
- Rental Housing Collaborative (HRA link)
- Minnesota Multi Housing Association
- Hennepin County Courthouse, PH: 952-830-4877.
- Housing choice voucher program (Section 8)
Tenant
- Minnesota Attorney General's Office (tenant resources) , PH: 651-296-3353.
- Homeline (Tenant advocacy), PH: 612-728-5767.
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
- Housing choice voucher program (Section 8)
File a complaint
The City wants to maintain the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Click the following link to learn more about filing a residential, commercial, or rental property complaint.